listen to your heart

PIONEER HEAlTH lists all you need to know to keep your heart hale and hearty

• A healthy heart
• A healthy heart beats anywhere between 70 to 80 beats a minute.
• Heart rates increase in response to the body needing more oxygen or nutrients.
• Fainting, dizziness and shortness of breath is indicative that the heart rate might be very low, for heart pumping may be affected.

The Golden hour

The first hour after onset of heart attack is called the ‘golden hour’ as patient's chances of survival are greatest if they receive care within first hour. After that heart muscles starts getting damaged irreversibly. A person suffering heart attack should be admitted to the nearest medical facility with a catheterisation laboratory, which is a room equipped to treat heart attack patients. People often mistakenly link intensity of pain with severity of heart attack and ignore low-intensity pain in heart. It is important to know that intensity of pain is an individualistic experience and low intensity pain may cause equal damage to your heart in the same time. On the occasion of World Heart Day, we are continuing with our endeavors to spread awareness on prevention of heart diseases and the significance of hospitalization in the first hour.

— Dr Sanjay Mittal, Consultant Cardiologist, Columbia Asia Hospital, Ghaziabad

SYMPTOMS

• Chest pain or discomfort.
• Upper body discomfort.
• Shortness of breath.
• Breaking out in a cold sweat.
• Feeling unusually tired for no reason.
• Nausea (feeling sick to the stomach) and vomiting.
• light-headedness or sudden dizziness.

Mistaking Acidity for Heart Attacks:

 Heartburn is often confused with a heart attack.

Acids in stomach rising into the oesophagus and can cause chest pain at times radiating it to your neck, throat or jaw can be mistaken for heart attack.

— Dr Pramod Kumar, Director and HOD, Cardiology, Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi

FACTFIlE

A survey conducted by Indus Health Plus indicates that there has been a three-fold rise in cardiovascular disease among Delhiites compared to last three years. The risk of heart attack and stroke increases if the person is suffering from diabetes and obesity. 40% of males and 38% women from the age group of 40-50 years have been tested positive for diabetes which has increased their chances of heart ailments. Out of these, 20% males and 22% females are obese too.

KEY FINDINGS

• More than 70% of urban males and 69% of rural men from the age group of 35-55 years are under the risk of heart diseases due to hypertension, obesity, and diabetes
• 60% of urban as well as rural women between 25-40 years age group were ignorant of heart diseases
• More than 50% of corporate employees (both men & women) are suffering because of hypertension and heart ailments
• Air pollution is at an all-time high in Delhi which is leading to heart diseases. Children and elderly in urban areas are the most affected with this condition
• Young population aged 30 years are at higher risk of heart diseases, due to  unhealthy lifestyles, stress, smoking, and drinking
• 45% of urban and 43% of rural people were reported to have high cholesterol. Intake of junk food, ready-to-eat meals are preferred along with lack of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains intake increases the bad cholesterol in the body, which can block the blood vessels

FUEl FOR YOUR HEART

Green vegetables: Green vegetables are high in carotenoids, which act as antioxidants and free your body of potentially harmful compounds.

Fruits: Contain numerous antioxidants, including heart-promoting polyphenols and anthocyanins which may help stave off hardening of the arteries.

Whole grain/cereals: Consuming cereals have long been a wonder meal for reducing cholesterol.

Polyunsaturated oils: like mustard, olive oil. Olive oil is a good source of monounsaturated fats, which can help reduce both cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Other foods: Fish/Sea food, blueberries, legumes, flax seeds, dark chocolate and green tea.  

BUSTING MYTHS

I’m too young to worry about heart disease. As early as childhood and adolescence, plaque can start accumulating in the arteries and later lead to clogged arteries.

I’d know if I had high blood pressure because there would be warning signs. High blood pressure is called the “silent killer”. You may never experience symptoms, so don’t wait and get checked your BP numbers.

I’ll know when I’m having a heart attack because I’ll have chest pain. Not necessarily. Although it’s common to have chest pain or discomfort, a heart attack may cause subtle symptoms. These include shortness of breath, nausea, feeling lightheaded, and pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the jaw, neck or back.

Diabetes won’t threaten my heart as long as I take my medication. Treating diabetes can help reduce your risk for or delay the development of cardiovascular diseases. But even when blood sugar levels are under control, you’re still at increased risk for heart disease and stroke.

Heart disease runs in my family, so there’s nothing I can do to prevent it. Although people with a family history of heart disease are at higher risk, you can take steps to dramatically reduce your risk.

I don’t need to have my cholesterol checked until I’m middle-aged. The American Heart Association recommends you start getting your cholesterol checked every 5 years starting at age 20. It’s a good idea to start having a cholesterol test even earlier if your family has a history of heart disease.

Heart failure means the heart stops beating. The heart suddenly stops beating during cardiac arrest, not heart failure. With heart failure, the heart keeps working, but it doesn’t pump blood as well as it should

This pain in my legs must be a sign of aging. I’m sure it has nothing to do with my heart. leg pain felt in the muscles could be a sign of a condition called peripheral artery disease. PAD results from blocked arteries in the legs caused by plaque buildup. The risk for heart attack or stroke increases for people with PAD.

My heart is beating really fast. I must be having a heart attack. Your heart rate speeds up during exercise or when you get excited, and slows down when you’re sleeping. Most of the time, a change in your heartbeat is nothing to worry about. But sometimes, it can be a sign of arrhythmia, an abnormal or irregular heartbeat.

I should avoid exercise after having a heart attack. No.As soon as possible, get moving with a plan approved for you. Research shows that heart attack survivors who are regularly physically active and make other heart-healthy changes live longer than those who don’t.

— Dr Sanjeev Chaudhary, Director, Cardiology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute