How to Keep Your Heart Healthy?
How to keep your heart healthy?
The human heart is a muscular organ with four chambers nearly as big as the fist. The heart easily fits within our chest between the two lungs. It is a vital organ that continuously pumps blood to supply oxygen and nutrients to every organ and tissue in the body. It also takes away waste and carbon dioxide from them.
Its well-being is crucial for the proper functioning of other body organs and for us to stay alive.
What are the common heart diseases?
Heart diseases are the leading cause of global mortality, with ever-increasing numbers. They can be congenital, or a person may develop them over the course of life due to unhealthy diet and lifestyle habits. While numerous conditions fall under the broad category of heart diseases, let us look at some of the major types:
- Coronary heart disease
- Coronary artery disease
- Congenital heart defects
- Cardiomyopathy
- Atherosclerosis
- Arrhythmia
- Heart infections
- Heart attack
- Congestive heart failure
What are the common symptoms of heart disease?
Depending on the actual disease, a person may complain of different symptoms.
These symptoms may appear rapidly (acute) or take some time to develop (chronic). They may also come and go or change over time. However, some common symptoms that could point towards a heart disease include:
- Pain, pressure, or discomfort in the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeat
- Slow or rapid pulse
- Fatigue and decreased energy
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Pain in the left side of the upper body, especially the shoulder, back, arm, or jaw
- Swelling of abdomen or feet and legs
What are the risk factors of heart disease?
The risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease are:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- High cholesterol
- Tobacco use
- Diabetes
- Family history of heart disease
- Sedentary lifestyle or obesity
- A diet high in sodium, sugar, and fat
- Overuse of alcohol
- Preeclampsia or toxaemia
- Gestational diabetes
- Chronic inflammatory or autoimmune conditions
- Chronic kidney disease
How are heart diseases diagnosed?
Diagnosis of heart diseases includes screening and diagnosis under emergency conditions. Testing is usually done on people who don’t display the signs of heart disease to determine their risk. A few lab tests that are done as part of the screening process for cardiovascular diseases include:
This test helps evaluate the risk of developing Cardiovascular disease (CVD) by measuring the amount and type of lipids (fats) in the blood. The test includes assessing the levels of:
- Total cholesterol
- LDL Cholesterol
- HDL Cholesterol
- Triglycerides
Lipoprotein (a); Lp (a)
This test identifies an elevated level of Lp(a). Lp is low-density lipoprotein (LDL) attached to a protein called apo (a). Genes play the primary role in determining your Lp (a) level.
C-reactive protein (CRP)
The liver produces C-reactive protein (CRP) as part of the body’s response to injury or infection. Inflammation plays a significant role in Atherosclerosis, in which fatty acids build up and clog your arteries. CRP tests help create an entire picture of your cardiovascular health.
Homocysteine
Homocysteine is a type of amino acid naturally produced by the body, and high levels increase the risk of developing heart and blood vessel diseases.
HsCRP
High-Sensitivity C- Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) is a blood test that assesses the body’s low amount of C Reactive. The test accurately measures low but persistent levels of inflammation in the body associated with Atherosclerosis.
CK-MB
Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) is an enzyme found primarily in heart muscle cells.
The CPK-MB test is a cardiac marker used to help diagnose acute myocardial infarction and measures the blood level of CK-MB in the body.
Troponin – T, I (High Sensitive)
This test measures troponin T or troponin I proteins. When the heart muscle is damaged, which may happen during a heart attack, these proteins are released.
BNP and NT-proBNP
B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are hormones released by the cardiomyocytes in the heart ventricles. They are released as a natural response to heart failure. BNP and NT-proBNP blood tests are used to detect and evaluate heart failure.
APOLIPOPROTEINS A1 & B
Apo A-1 is the main protein component of HDL, the “good cholesterol”, and Apo B is the main protein associated with LDL, the “bad cholesterol”. Both are more accurate predictors of cardiovascular disease risk than LDL cholesterol, for example.
Other tests like electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), Echocardiography, Stress test, CT/MRI/PET scan, Cardiac catheterization, Coronary angiography, Tilt table test, etc., are also performed to identify any abnormality in the heart.
How can I keep my heart healthy?
Keeping your heart healthy is something we should work on every day.
Our diet, exercise, and lifestyle significantly impact the heart. Let us go over the tips to prevent heart disease:
- Choose a diet that has low levels of saturated fat, trans fats, salt, and added sugars. Fruit, vegetables, fiber, antioxidants, and whole grains should be included in the diet.
- Do regular physical activity. The risk of a heart attack or developing cardiovascular disease is reduced by regular physical activity. It also helps strengthen the bones and muscles and makes you feel more energetic, happier, and relaxed.
- Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke. Smoking causes damage to the blood vessels that lead to the heart, brain, and others of the body.
- Maintain tight control over other health conditions, such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
- Limit intake of sodium.
- Achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
- Drink alcohol in moderation.
- If your doctor has recommended any medication, take them exactly as directed.
Disclaimer:
This blog is for educational purposes only; you should not use it as a substitute for medical advice or consultation. It is not to be substituted for the advice or treatment of a healthcare professional.
