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Written by Dr. Rachita Narsaria, M.D. | Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the developed world today. It is often wrongly considered to affect predominantly men, but in truth, 1 in 4 women in the United States dies from heart disease.
Heart disease refers to a narrowing of the blood vessels, such as coronary arteries. There are two main culprits of vassal constriction. The first, affecting people of varying ages, is deposits of cholesterol plaque on the walls of the arteries. A second cause of heart disease is arteriosclerosis, which is caused by calcium deposits inside the vessels as the circulatory system begins to age.
When the circulatory system is clogged by cholesterol plaque or calcium deposits, the supply of oxygen, glucose, and other nutrients necessary to keep the heart functioning optimally is greatly reduced. These blood flow blockages may remain undetected and show no symptoms as long as the heart manages to pump sufficiently in spite of the reduced supply of nutrients.
Watch for increased blood pressure or a higher heart rate. If the heart has to pump harder or faster, these may be signs of a struggling heart. Activities that push the heart to pump beyond its normal capacity like exercising, dancing, jogging, and lifting heavy weights, will expose these symptoms. Sudden emotional surges or severe cold weather may also expose heart disease. This condition of reduced blood flow to the heart is called angina.
You may have angina if you are experiencing the following symptoms: You may experience a sudden, sharp, or gradually increasing pain in the center of your chest, or on the left side of your chest. You may feel pulsing pain in your left arm, your left shoulder blade, and even on the left side of your jaw. Breathlessness, anxiety, sweating, trembling, palpitations, dryness of mouth, and a squeezing sensation in your chest are all signs of angina.
You may feel dizzy and afraid, but you must address the condition immediately. An angina attack could progress into a fatal heart attack if left untreated. A heart attack happens when part of the heart tissue stops functioning completely because the blood flow is reduced too much. This is called a myocardial infraction. If you experience an angina attack, call an ambulance right away and lie flat on your back.
Heart attacks are not always spontaneous; they are caused by untreated heart disease. The good news is that heart disease is progressive over a relatively long period of time. You can take steps to prevent heart complications by reducing cholesterol intake. You may even slow arteriosclerosis in its tracks as you advance age. Heed these preventive Do’s and Don’ts for a healthier heart:
- Lose weight. Try to achieve the ideal body weight for your age and height. Your BMI (Body Mass Index) should be between 18-25 kg/m2 for your height. Calculate your BMI here: http://www.webmd.com/diet/calc-bmi-plus
- Eat healthy. Diets are tricky and hard to follow. Instead eat every 3-4 hours but eat right. Choose fruits and vegetables over processed foods. Choose a cup of fresh orange juice over sugary drinks. Include nuts, dairy products and legumes in your diet. Cut down on red meat intake and rich oily/fried foods. Drink at least 2-3 litres water every day.
- Pick up a sport or aerobic exercise! Jog, swim, or play tennis to name a few. Or simply tie your laces and go for a brisk walk for 30 minutes. Burn calories on a daily basis and watch how being healthy also makes you happy.
- Teetotal. Give up that nicotine kick or alcohol habit that you picked up way back in your teens. Limit your intake to 2-3 glasses of alcohol in a week. Smoking is the stealthiest killer mankind has known. Pledge to quit with the help of loved ones, friends and support groups.
- Go for regular health check-ups once you hit your 40s. The money spent on a health check-up will prove to be a wise investment. The key to good health is prevention and early detection.
“Go Red for Women” is an initiative by the American Heart Association. Its purpose is to raise awareness about heart conditions in women and to provide resources on prevention and risk management. Check out their website for more empowering information on handling heart disease in the important women in your life.