Heart diseases are the type of diseases that affect the heart or blood vessels. There are various types of heart diseases, each has its own symptoms, causes, and treatment. The risk of these diseases can also be affected by one’s lifestyle pattern. If one does smoking or has high blood pressure or high cholesterol, that person will be at higher risk of getting heart diseases than the one who does not have these patterns included in his/her lifestyle.

Some of the most common heart diseases are coronary artery diseases in which an artery is narrowed or blocked due to excessive consumption of plaque or high cholesterol. Other heart diseases include heart rhythm problems, congestive heart failure, congenital heart disease, heart valve disease, and some other cardiovascular diseases.

Though, the risk of heart diseases can be reduced by making lifestyle changes that will eventually improve your overall health.

Symptoms of heart diseases

• Shortness of breath
• Any sort of pain, tightness, pressure, or discomfort in the chest
• Numbness, weakness, or pain in your arms or legs
• Unexplained pain in the neck, jaw, throat, back, or upper abdomen

Sometimes there are no symptoms until you have angina, heart attack, heart failure, or stroke. Therefore it is necessary to have regular checkups to keep a check on your heart health.

Risk factors

Factors that increase the risk of heart diseases are: Genetics, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking and stress. Some other factors are

• Age – The risk for heart disease increases with age.
• Lack of exercise – Being physically inactive can also put you at higher risk.
• Family history – Having a family history of coronary heart disease increases your chances of getting it.
• Having certain medical conditions like diabetes or another metabolic syndrome also increases the risk.
• Having high levels of low-density lipoprotein and low levels of high-density lipoprotein.

Prevention of Heart Diseases

Quit smoking – If you are a chain smoker, try limiting your tobacco consumption as it increases your risk of getting coronary artery disease.

Maintain the cholesterol levels – If one has a high level of low-density lipoprotein ‘bad’ cholesterol or low levels of high-density lipoprotein ‘good’ cholesterol then that person may be at higher risk.
Though cholesterol isn’t the only thing that matters to calculate the risk of heart disease, it should be in range. To help lower cholesterol levels, eat a diet that is low in saturated fat and refined sugars and high in fiber.

Be active – People who aren’t inclined towards physical activities are more likely to have high heart diseases when compared to others. Physical activities boost the metabolism of the body. Therefore, having an active lifestyle can help you prevent the risk of getting heart disease.

Keep the blood pressure in control – Many people have hypertension or high blood pressure which is the most common heart disease risk factor. People with high blood pressure can adopt certain habits to keep it in control like doing exercise and having a healthy diet that is low in salt.
If it still persists, consultation with a doctor would be recommended.

Follow a heart-healthy diet – A diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol is considered a heart-healthy diet. One should also eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts, and other plant-based food items.

We at Gujarat Superspeciality Hospital are dedicated to providing our patients with the best of services and quality care. If you or someone you know is experiencing any health issues, consult with our specialists today at Gujarat Superspeciality Hospital from Monday to Saturday between 10 AM to 06 PM.