Dr. Mukesh Goel, Senior Cardiac Surgeon at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital
Coronary disease is an umbrella term, which depicts numerous conditions that affect a person’s heart health. Heart disease depicts conditions that influence an individuals heart muscle, heart valves, coronary arteries, or heart rhythm. Each of these components plays a significant impact on a person’s overall heart health. When a person learns they have heart disease, it’s vital for them to make lifestyle changes to slow the progression of the disease. Heart disease can cause numerous potentially lethal complications if left untreated.
Short-term Complications Of Heart Diseased
Heart disease can significantly affect an individual’s quality of life. Those with heart failure may develop symptoms like swelling, dizziness, and other symptoms that can affect their ability to complete daily tasks. A person with diagnosed heart disease mostly lives with the stress of knowing that they have a long-term illness and could result in a cardiac event, such as heart attack or stroke.
Long-term Complications
The long-term outlook for people with heart disease depends upon several factors. These incorporate the type of underlying heart disease, the person’s reaction to the medications, and the extent and severity of the damage. If a doctor diagnoses anyone with heart disease, medication and a healthy lifestyle regimen should be followed to prevent worsening complications.
Risk Factors For Heart Disease
- Ageing increases the risk of damaged and narrowed arteries and a weakened or thickened heart muscle.
- Men are mostly at greater risk of heart disease. The risk for women generally increases after menopause.
- Family history- Family background of heart disease increases the risk of coronary artery disease, especially if a parent developed it at an early age (before age 55 for a male relative, such as your brother or father, and 65 for a female relative, such as your mother or sister).
- Nicotine tightens the blood vessels, and carbon monoxide can affect the inner lining, making them more vulnerable to atherosclerosis. Heart attacks generally are more common in smokers than in non-smokers.
- Poor diet- A diet which is high in fat, salt, sugar and cholesterol can lead to the development of heart disease.
- High blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels- Uncontrolled high blood pressure can result in hardening and thickening of the arteries, narrowing the vessels through which blood flows. High levels of cholesterol in the blood can potentially increase the risk of plaque formation and atherosclerosis.
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- Excess weight naturally increases other heart disease risk factors.
- Physical inactivity- Lack of physical exercise also contributes to many forms of heart disease and some of its other risk factors as well.
- Unrelieved stress may damage the arteries and worsen other risk factors for heart disease.
- Poor dental health- It’s important to brush and floss the teeth and gums often, and have regular dental checkups. If the teeth and gums aren’t healthy then the germs can enter the bloodstream and travel to the heart, causing endocarditis.
How To Prevent Heart Disease
There are certain types of heart disease like heart defects which can’t be prevented. However, some lifestyle changes can improve heart disease and can help to prevent it. These lifestyle changes include:
- Don’t smoke.
- Control other health issues, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on 4-5 days of the week.
- Have a diet which is low in salt and saturated fat.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
- Practice good hygiene.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of fatality for both men and women. Heart disease is considered a chronic condition, and there can be complications following phases of medication-induced improvement. Seeking treatment after the earliest possible indicators of heart problems, such as high blood pressure or shortness of breath, may result in better outcomes.
