How To Keep Your Heart Healthy
A healthy heart is central to overall good health. Embracing a healthy lifestyle at any age can prevent heart disease and lower your risk for a heart attack or stroke. You are never too old or too young to begin taking care of your heart.
True, the younger you begin making healthy choices, the longer you can reap the benefits. But swapping good habits for bad to promote good health can make a difference, even if you’ve already suffered a heart attack.
Here is an excerpt from a video interview of Dr Pramod Rao, DM(Cardiology), Sr. Consultant and Interventional Cardiologist at Omni Hospitals, Kukatpally, Hyderabad on various heart problems measures that can be taken to keep it at bay.
Q. What are the general heart problems and diseases that we face?
A. The most common heart problem is chest pain. There are many causes for chest pain including cardiac arrests. The symptoms for the cause of chest pain are carefully analysed and then the cause can be detected. Heart failure associated with swelling of the feet and excessive sweating is also a common heart problem.
Q.What are the treatment options for heart failures?
A. People suffering from heart attacks and heart failures are immediately taken to the ICU for an ECG. Depending on the ECG scan, the attack or failure is treated. If a patient is brought to the hospital during the ‘golden hour’ i.e., the time when there is a scope to still treat the attack/failure, then with immediate scans and stenting, the person can evade the side-effects of it.
Q. When should a person visit the doctor if he/she suffers from any kind of heart problem?
A. Nowadays due to the change in lifestyle, acidity and acid reflux problems have become very common and hence people suffering from heartburn too. But when the pain doesn’t subside after taking antacids, then a person should immediately rush to the hospital for treatment.
Hence, any type of chest discomfort shouldn’t be neglected and should be brought to the notice of a doctor immediately.
Q. How can we prevent heart diseases?
A.The prevention of heart disease starts from a change in the lifestyle. Due to an inactive lifestyle that the present day and age call for, many people from a younger age itself face issues like obesity, diabetes, thyroid issues and more.
The following precautions can be taken to prevent heart diseases:
1. Regular exercise
2. Healthy and balanced diet
3. Involvement in a sports activity
4. No smoking
5. Limited alcohol consumption
Q. What kind of a diet should be followed by a person to prevent heart problems?
A. Diet is a major factor that contributes to lifestyle changes. After a person suffers from any kind of heart problem, a low-salt diet should be taken to keep the blood pressure
levels balanced.
A diet rich in proteins, fibres, minerals and nutrients will help prevent heart problems. Hence, incorporating a lot of fruits, vegetables and nuts in one’s diet helps to prevent heart problems.
Q. What activities does a person suffering from heart problems have to avoid?
A. As the blood pumping capacity of the heart of a person suffering from heart problems is less and incompetent, heavy exercising or sports activities should be avoided. Activities like brisk walking or normal paced walking can still be a part of the lifestyle.
Q. How accurate is 2D Echocardiogram?
A. No two 2D Echocardiograms will be the same as every cardiogram completely depends on the lab assistant or cardiologist, equipment in the laboratory, the day and time when the cardiogram is done.
Q. Is alcohol good for the heart?
A. For ages, it has been accepted that a peg or two of alcohol per day is good for the body. But for people suffering from heart problems of cholesterol issues, alcohol is not good and is not prescribed.
Q. Is river fish good for the heart?
A. Any type of fish contains omega 3 fatty acids so it is good for the body. Hence, river or sea fish, both are good for the body.
Q. How can a person increase his/her good cholesterol?
A. There are two types of cholesterol, HDL and LDL. HDL is the good cholesterol whereas LDL is the bad cholesterol. The only way to increase HDL and keep it balanced is by regular exercise.
Q. Is high cholesterol hereditary?
A. Yes, to some extent high cholesterol is hereditary in nature.
Q. How often should cholesterol be checked?
A. If a person is suffering from abnormal cholesterol levels and is under medication, then a cholesterol check-up every 3-6 months is necessary. If a person has balanced cholesterol levels, then a check-up every one year is more than enough.
Q. Are the chances of a heart attack greater in a person who has high blood pressure?
A. Yes, the chances of a heart attack are greater in a person with high blood pressure. Regular exercise, timely medication, balanced diet and mental peace will help a person keep away from various heart problems as much as possible.
Q. How does being overweight affect a person’s blood pressure? What kind of diet should be taken to lose weight?
A.
Being overweight causes abnormality in the body functions like hormonal issues, decreased metabolism rate, insulin level fluctuation and more. This, in turn, affects basic body functions like blood pressure. This is how being overweight affects a person’s blood pressure levels.
Diet is a major factor that contributes to lifestyle changes. A diet rich in proteins, fibres, minerals and nutrients will help control body weight and will also keep a person fit.
Hence, incorporating a lot of fruits, vegetables and nuts in one’s diet is very important. To lose weight, junk food, fatty foods and fried food should be avoided.
Q. What is the difference between the first heart attack and second heart attack? Why do people sometimes die during their first heart attack?
A. A person can die during any heart attack. It depends on the intensity of the attack. If the left side artery is majorly blocked and diseased during a heart attack, the person will die immediately. If the right side arteries are blocked or diseased during the attack, as there are two arteries on the right side and hence there is a chance of survival.
The chances of survival of a person during a heart attack depend on the myocardium levels and not on the number of heart attacks that the person has suffered from.
Q. How much sodium should be incorporated in one’s diet?
A.Depending on the person’s medical history and problems, sodium levels should be incorporated. If a person is suffering from any kind of medical conditions, especially kidney-related issues, then less salt should be taken as excess salt tends to remain in the person’s body itself.
If a person is normal and isn’t suffering from any medical issues, normal levels of salt can be ingested as any excess salt will be passed out in the form of urine or sweat.
Q. How much sodium should be incorporated in one’s diet?
A. Depending on the person’s medical history and problems, sodium levels should be incorporated.If a person is suffering from any kind of medical conditions, especially kidney-related issues, then less salt should be taken as excess salt tends to remain in the person’s body itself.
If a person is normal and isn’t suffering from any medical issues, normal levels of salt can be ingested as any excess salt will be passed out in the form of urine or sweat
Q. What can be the effect of stress on the heart?
A. When a person is under stress, excess hormones are secreted. These hormones that are secreted in excess are called ‘sympathetic hormones.’ This increases the heart rate. As the heart is now pumping blood at a faster rate, all the body functions are affected. Regular exercise and yoga will help reduce stress levels.
Q. How often are heart check-ups required for a person?
A. Once a person reaches 30 years of age, even if they are healthy and all body functions are normal, a total health check-up is necessary to rule out any underlying medical condition. This helps in early diagnosis and hence early treatment.
Q. How to identify an initial heart attack?
A. Any uneasy sensation or discomfort in the chest that lasts for more than 3-5 mins can be taken as a symptom for a heart issue and should not be neglected. Rush to the nearest hospital and get an ECG done to rule out the causes for uneasiness and discomfort.
Q. Can a vegan lifestyle reduce one’s chance of contracting heart problems?
A. Yes, a vegan and healthy lifestyle will definitely reduce one’s chance of contracting heart problems.
Q. What are the habits to practise for a healthy heart?
A. The following habits should be practised for a healthy heart:
-Eat healthily.
-Get active.
-Stay at a healthy weight.
-Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.
-Control your cholesterol and blood pressure.
-Drink alcohol only in moderation.
-Manage stress.
Sr. consultant – Dept. of Cardiology