In India and around the world, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have become a major source of worry. Heart disease is the biggest cause of death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the World Health Organization, 17.9 million people died from CVDs in 2019, with heart attacks and stroke accounting for 85 percent of deaths. Heart attacks and cardiac arrest are two of the most prevalent CVDs that are not only serious but also potentially fatal. It refers to a blockage in the arteries that prevents blood from flowing to the heart. The heart can’t obtain enough oxygen without blood, which damages the cardiac muscles.
Many people, even young ones, are growing increasingly susceptible to heart attacks in recent years, which is extremely alarming. While many people simply minimize their risk by making specific lifestyle adjustments, there are some health problems to be aware of that may be increasing your chance of a heart attack. Sedentary behavior and a bad diet can increase the chance of developing a variety of diseases and serious illnesses. We all know that leading a healthy lifestyle is important, yet we frequently overlook the necessity of developing healthy habits. You may be oblivious to certain factors that could be detrimental to your health. A few important health issues/concerns which trigger your heart health and can be very dangerous are listed below: –
High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure, often known as hypertension, is a condition in which the force of the blood on the artery walls and other blood vessels is excessive, resulting in a reduction in the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart. This forces the heart to work harder to pump blood to the rest of the body, causing the left ventricle to thicken, increasing your risk of heart disorders such as heart attack, heart failure, and cardiac arrest. A high blood pressure reading of 140/90 is regarded as normal, and a reading of 180/120 is considered severe. Because it causes no symptoms, it is commonly referred to as a “silent killer.”
Obesity: Another factor that can increase your risk of a heart attack or other cardiovascular disease is being overweight. Obesity is associated with greater “bad” cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as lower “good” cholesterol levels, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Obesity can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease, among other things.
Excessive stress: Stress can have an indirect impact on your heart. Stress may raise your blood pressure, cause you to overeat, exercise less, and smoke more, raising your risk of developing a cardiac condition. It makes sense to manage stress for your overall health. While it is difficult to live a stress-free life, it is feasible to make some lifestyle modifications to lessen the negative effects of stress on the heart. Take time to relax by engaging in a hobby or leisure fun activity, as well as meditation and breathing exercises, which can be effective stress relievers.
Insomnia and Sleep Apnoea affect heart: Persons with sleep apnoea are more prone to develop heart disease, practitioners know there is a link between sleep and heart disease. Sleep apnoea is a condition in which a person’s breathing stops for brief durations while sleeping. The person wakes up as they gasp for air during these pauses, which can happen 30 times or more per hour. As a result, you won’t be able to get a good night’s sleep. High blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, coronary artery disease, and heart failure are all linked to sleep apnoea. Insomnia has also been linked to an increased risk of heart disease in a growing number of studies.
Bad Cholesterol Level: LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol are the two forms of blood cholesterol. LDL cholesterol, sometimes referred to as “bad” cholesterol, creates plaque buildup in your arteries, which is harmful to your heart. Increased levels of poor cholesterol in the arteries can restrict blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the heart, brain, kidneys, and other organs. HDL, or “good” cholesterol, on the other hand, aids in the prevention of a variety of heart ailments.
High blood sugar levels or diabetes: – In the long run, high blood sugar levels can damage, constrict, and narrow the arteries. This occurs because diabetes creates a build-up of sugar in the blood, as your body is unable to use all the sugar available. As a result, the blood arteries that deliver blood to and from the heart get blocked and damaged.
Heart disease, heart attack, and stroke are the leading causes of death worldwide. India isn’t far behind in terms of economic development. The figures are alarming, but there is plenty that can be done to protect one’s heart, and it is never too late to begin. Because we only have one heart, it is critical that we look after it before it fails. ‘The best heart care plan is a self-care plan,’ as they say. Let us all work to prevent heart disease and maintain a healthy heartbeat.
In conclusion, to protect your heart, you need to protect and care for your overall health being.
The author is Director Cath Lab, Cardiologist, Symbiosis Hospital, Mumbai.