Heart diseases or Cardiovascular diseases refer to diseases of the heart and blood vessels and include diseases such as Coronary heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, chest pain (angina) and Rheumatic Heart Disease.
If you are a woman, you are as much at risk of heart disease and heart attacks as men are. Heart disease is one of the most common causes of death among elderly women. Though, when compared to men, women develop heart disease much later in life, by the time you are 60 or 65 years of age, you are at as much risk as men are.
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Causes of heart disease
The causes (see Box) of heart disease in women and men are more or less the same.
There are certain factors that are within your control. Making lifestyle modifications and changing unhealthy habits can help in avoiding heart problems.
But with factors like heredity, family history or age you have no control—prevention is the best route. | | Causes of heart disease | | High blood pressure | | High cholesterol | | Smoking | | Excessive alcohol | | Family history | | Age | | Lifestyle |
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Preventing heart disease
Follow these tips to keep heart disease and heart attacks at bay:
Do not smoke: Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes are dangerous for the heart.
Maintain normal blood pressure: If your blood pressure is consistently high, you are putting yourself at risk of heart disease and Stroke. Keeping high blood pressure under control lowers your risk of heart disease and Stroke.
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Keep cholesterol in check: Your body needs a certain amount of cholesterol for its healthy functioning. But if it goes above the normal levels, it can lead to heart disease.
Lose weight: If you are overweight, lose weight. The more your body mass, the greater the strain on your heart because of the extra effort your heart will have to put to pump blood to different parts of your over sized body.
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Eat healthy foods: Keep off the fat-rich foods like pizzas, chips, burgers and other fried foods. Avoid drinks that are high in sugar content and foods that are high on saturated fat. Go for low fat diets. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. If you must drink alcohol, limit it to one or two drinks. If you have diabetes, it is very important for you to keep track of your blood sugar levels and ensure that it is always maintained at the normal levels. Exercise and healthy eating is all the more important under this condition. Follow your doctor’s advice and stick to the medications without fail.
Exercise is important: Just like any other muscle, your heart muscles also need exercise to function optimally.
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There are a variety of exercises (see Box) that you can do to stay inshape and keep your heart healthy. Make it a point to exercise for atleast 30 min a day. Your doctor can also help you chalk out an exerciseprogram that is best for you.
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Heart disease in the family: Having close relatives with heart disease increases your risk of getting it.
Exercises for a healthy heart - Brisk walking
- Swimming
- Jogging
- Bicycle riding
- Treadmill walking while indoors
- Skipping
- Dancing
Click here to view an animation on excess cholesterol accumulation and chest pain (angina).
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When to seek medical help
Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: - chest pain,
- pain that radiates to your shoulders, neck and jaw,
- breathlessness and
- sudden vomiting sensations.
In case it is a heart attack that you are going through, the sooner you get medical care, the more the chances of survival and lesser the damage to your heart. Every precious moment counts. Here, time is not money—its life. |