Take Charge – Follow The Road Map To A Healthy Heart

Dr Hrushikesh Vaidya, Medical Director and Chairman Horizon Group of Hospitals said “Every day we hear about some youngster dying out of a sudden or silent heart attack. Post pandemic, these days younger generation is more vulnerable to cardiovascular diseases than others. Medical news statistics show around 50% of the population in India goes through a heart attack before age 55. The Indian population has fallen prey to sudden heart attacks at a younger age. A heart attack is an urgent medical condition that causes damage to the heart muscle. It occurs because of loss of blood supply due to artery blockage. A heart attack can be fatal or dangerous if the patient doesn’t follow precautions and medical procedures.”

Dr Ria Vaidya, CEO, Horizon Group of Hospitals said “Though the average lifespan of human beings has increased due to advancements in medical studies, statistics have still reported the risk of a heart attack at a younger age. There are multiple reasons behind this. The major one is a sedentary lifestyle and drug abuse”.

Dr Hrushikesh Vaidya advises individuals to incorporate a balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management into their daily life. Additionally, he emphasizes on the value of routine medical check-ups and keeping themselves aware of heart disease risk factors. This World Heart Day, my advice is one has to put heart health first and take preventative measures to guarantee a long, healthy life. The Theme for World Heart Day 2024 is “Use Heart For Action” which emphasizes how there are yet simple yet effective things that you can do to help the people in your care and prevent heart disease.

Heart is one of the vital organs of human body, malfunctioning of it may lead to fatality, so it is very essential for everyone to take care of heart health. Due to lack of awareness about the cardiovascular health and certain lifestyle habits, cardiovascular diseases  is one of the leading reason for mortality worldwide. Every year, around 1.7 crores people die due to cardiovascular disease, accounting approximately 31% of all global mortality. Heart attack, Stroke and coronary heart disease are one of the most common reason of deaths due to cardiovascular disorders. These heart disorders accounts for nearly 85% of total deaths due to cardiovascular ailments. World Heart day plays a vital role in creating awareness to educate people across the world to understand the importance of heart health and bringing other organizations together to actively participate in organizing various events to create awareness.

Symptoms

• Difficulty catching breath
• Persistently low energy levels and fatigue
• Swelling in the feet
• Irregular or rapid heartbeat
• Rapid weight gain
• Lack of appetite and nausea

Diagnosis

Some of the most common tests for the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease include

• CRP test
• Electrocardiogram
• Echocardiogram
• Stress or exercise tests
• Cardiac catheterization
• Cardiac CT scan
• Heart MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan

When to See a Doctor?

If you think you have the below mentioned symptoms, immediately consult with a healthcare provider

• Chest pain
• Severe weakness or fainting
• Coughing pink mucus
• Sudden and severe shortness of breath

Dr Hrushikesh Vaidya lists below few ways by which you can reduce the risk of a cardiovascular disease

1. Eat Right : A balanced diet rich in whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables can dramatically reduce the risk of heart diseases. Also, cutting down on the consumption of packaged and processed foods such as fatty food items and sugary drinks is vital. A diet low in sugar, cholesterol levels, trans fats, and high in complex carbohydrates can reduce the risk of heart disease.
2. Don’t Be Sedentary For Too Long : Stay active. The risk of heart attack is increased if you are not physically active. A sedentary lifestyle refers to a lack of physical activity, contributing to an increased risk for heart disease and cardiovascular disease. This can include watching television or sitting on a couch all day long while being inactive when it should be exercising regularly. Thus, stay active and avoid being sedentary for long periods to reduce the risks of a heart attack. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity workout every week for all adults.
3. Improve Cholesterol Levels : The risk of heart disease rises with unhealthy cholesterol levels. The right cholesterol level can vary based on age, gender, genetics, and overall fitness.

• Total cholesterol level must be less than 200 mg/dL
• Good cholesterol level must be equal to or greater than 60 mg/dL
• Triglycerides must be less than 150 mg/dL

1. Manage Diabetes : Diabetes If not properly managed, can lead to heart damage and heart disease, including heart failure. Diabetes can be controlled through a healthy diet and regular exercise.
2. Quit Smoking : Smoking is a crucial risk factor for heart attack. It increases the risk of blood clots, which can block arteries and cause heart attacks. It also increases the risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels linked to heart disease. Quitting smoking can dramatically reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and at the same time aid in improving overall heart health. Even for individuals who don’t smoke, prolonged exposure to passive smoke can raise the risk of heart disease. In addition to its direct effects on your body’s vessels (the arteries), smoking has been shown to raise your cholesterol levels—and this increases your chances of developing atherosclerosis (hardening or thickening of the lining inside an artery). An increase in cholesterol can lead to plaque build-up that narrows off your arteries’ passages even further; eventually, this restricts blood flow altogether. Thus, the first step against a heart attack is quitting cigars.
3. Limit Alcohol Intake : High consumption of alcohol contributes to cardiovascular diseases and also leads to hypertension. Moderate or occasional consumption of alcohol is vital for maintaining a healthy heart.
4. Maintain Ideal Body Weight : Obesity is another major risk factor for heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure, including heart attack. You must maintain an ideal body weight following regular exercise and a healthy diet. Consult a doctor for heart health advice to figure out a safe and effective, long-term weight loss plan.
5. Lead A Stress-free Life : Poorly managed and prolonged stress can increase the risk of heart disease and also worsen an existing heart-related disorder. Stress is indeed a normal part of life, but when it’s too much, it can lead to severe health problems like heart disease or high blood pressure. Stressful situations may be caused by work, family, and personal life issues. But too much stress can cause a heart attack. Thus, manage your emotional issues and be aware of stress in your life, as it can trigger more cardiovascular problems like heart attacks or strokes in some people.

This year’s World Heart Day theme “Use Heart For Action” intends to address the people to have opportunity to use their thinking and action towards the betterment of humanity, nature and itself, through which huge mortality due to cardiovascular can be curbed. Everyone can contribute for the healthy nature in their own way to fight air pollution, which accounts for 25% of all cardiovascular death every year globally. Stress and poor lifestyle have been the prominent risk factors of heart attack, which can be dealt with improving our lifestyle by inculcating good habits like Exercise, mediation, and getting quality sleep.

Horizon Prime Hospital has the best cardiac facility department in Thane and dedicated cardiac care centre with all world-class  advanced state-of-the-art equipment’s, expert team of cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and cardiac anaesthetists. We at Horizon Prime Hospital are committed to providing exceptional service, care and compassion to all our patients and will never let you down.