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Care Sign Symptoms

How Diabetes Increases Heart Attack Risk

How Diabetes Increases Heart Attack Risk

A chronic disease caused either due to pancreas’ inability to produce enough insulin or when the body is unable to use the insulin (a hormone that works to regulate blood sugar) produced in the body, diabetes contributed to around 1.5 million global deaths in 2019.

While diabetes, commonly known as high blood sugar, is a deadly medical problem in itself, it is also associated with increased risk of other serious complications, including heart diseases. It means diabetes and heart disease are connected as diabetes affects heart in multiple ways. Heart failure, coronary heart disease (CHD), and diabetic cardiomyopathy are a few to name.

Apart from diabetes, some other factors alone or in combination with diabetes can put your heart at risk, including:

  • Having a family history of heart disease
  • Being obese or over weight, especially around the waist
  • Being a smoker
  • Having high blood pressure
  • Having abnormal cholesterol levels

The Interrelationship between Diabetes and Heart Disease

Diabetes and heart disease are interrelated, in the sense that diabetes increases heart attack risk. Researchers suggest that people with diabetes have two-times higher risk of developing heart disease than those without diabetes.

Talking about the role of diabetes in causing heart ailments, high blood sugar increases the force of blood through arteries damaging artery walls. Over time, it impairs the functioning of blood vessels and the nerves associated with regulating heart functioning. And the biggest challenge is no symptoms appeared while this high blood sugar was weakening your heart.

Heart failure is one of the major problems that are associated with diabetes or high blood sugar. A serious condition, heart failure is characterized by heart’s inability to pump enough blood. It in turn may lead to swelling in legs and retention of fluid in lungs, causing difficulty in breathing.

High blood sugar may also lead to hardening of the coronary arteries, which is characterized by build-up of cholesterol plaques in the blood vessels involved in supplying oxygen and nutrition to the heart. The blockage of arteries stops the flow of blood, thereby terminating oxygen supply, which may result in a heart attack.

Diabetes Symptoms

  • Frequent urination, often during night
  • Unexpected weight loss
  • Persistent thirst
  • Feeling hungry after short intervals
  • Having blurry vision
  • Feeling numbness or tingling in hands or feet
  • Persistent tiredness
  • Slow healing of sores or wounds
  • Experiencing higher incidence of infections than usual

Heart Attack Symptoms

  • Breathlessness or shortness of breath
  • Chest pain or pressure, especially during an activity of physical exertion
  • Unexplained, excessive sweating
  • Feeling of dizziness
  • Experiencing pain in the jaws, shoulders and left arm
  • Nausea

It is important to note here is these classic symptoms of heart attack may not appear in everybody, so it is advisable to go for physical examination at regular intervals, especially if you are overweight, are under consistent stress, have a family history of heart attack, and/or is diabetic.

You can visit Making India Heart Strong website, anytime, for any heart-related testing or treatment for high heart rate or heart stroke treatment.

 

References:

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes

FAQ

Q. Why do diabetics have silent heart attacks?

Having diabetes increases the risk of heart attack and the bigger problem is diabetes is associated with silent heart attacks owing to reasons, including:

Increased Risk of Heart Disease – People with diabetes are more vulnerable to the risk of silent heart attack as higher levels of blood glucose tend to increase cholesterol levels and promote obesity, which in turn puts more stress on the heart.

Autonomic Neuropathy – Another serious side effect of diabetes include nerve damage. In the view that nerves are responsible for controlling different functions of the body including breathing, heart rate and digestion, nerve damage impairs a patient’s ability to experience the painful symptoms associated with heart attack, which may makes heart diseases largely asymptomatic.

Q. How can diabetes cause a heart attack?

People with diabetes are more vulnerable to hardening of the coronary arteries or atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by a cholesterol plaque buildup in the blood vessels, engaged in supplying oxygen and nutrition to the heart.

As the cholesterol plaques rupture of break apart, the body sends platelets to seal it up in an attempt to repair the plaque rupture. But due to small size of artery the platelets end up blocking the flow of blood, thereby restricting the oxygen delivery and cause heart attack.

Q. How to control heart attack in Diabetics?

People with diabetes are more vulnerable to suffer heart attacks than those without diabetes. Here are some effective measures to control heart attack in diabetics.

  • Exercise or stay physically active every day by way of a daily 30-minute walk or a similar activity to lower your risk.
  • Follow your meal plan. Eat small meals that should contain more fruits and vegetables.
  • Being obese raises the risk of heart attack. So, try to lose weight if you fall in overweight or obesity category.
  • Smoking is a single largest risk factor to cause heart attack. So, talk with your doctor to quit smoking if you are not able to do it by yourself. Also, it is important to avoid second hand exposure to cigarette smoke.
  • Take your medicines the way your providers recommend.
  • Go for regular physical examination, which may include gauzing blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Q. Why Diabetic Patients can’t feel pain in heart attack?

Diabetic patients have higher risk of several complications, with heart disease being a major one. High blood glucose levels in a diabetic can cause damage to blood vessels, leading to poor blood circulation.

It in turn may lead to nerve damage, a condition referred to as neuropathy, which can cause tingling and pain as well as loss of sensation especially feet and toes. In addition, it can also damage nerves even inside the body, affecting autonomic nerves (called as autonomic neuropathy) that serve respiratory, circulatory, and digestive among other systems without the patient realizing it.

The blood vessels in and around the heart affects patient’s ability to feel the pain, due to which they may not feel the most classic symptom of a heart attack i.e. chest pain.

Categories
Causes

Heart Attack Causes and Risk Factors

Heart Attack Causes and Risk Factors

A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, is an outcome of blocked blood supply to the heart. The blockage may result from build-up of cholesterol, fat and other substances, which leads to the development of plaque in coronaries arteries (blood vessels that transport oxygenated blood to the heart muscle). It occurs when plaque ruptures and forms a clot that terminates blood supply to the heart, thereby damaging or destroying part of the heart muscle.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), particularly heart attacks and strokes, kill around 17 million people worldwide every year, suggests the World Health Organization (WHO). CVDs refer to a group of medical conditions associated with the heart and blood vessels. It is estimated that four out of five CVD deaths are attributed to heart attacks and strokes.

Despite hearing the word “heart attack” many times a day, most of us still know very little about it. So, let’s learn about heart attack causes and risk factors, and treatment measures for a speedy recovery from heart attack.

Heart Attack Symptoms

The major heart attack symptoms include:

  • Pain or discomfort (in the form of fullness, pain, squeezing, or uncomfortable pressure) in the center or left side of the chest that may last for over a few minutes.
  • Shortness of breath, usually after pain or discomfort in chest
  • Experiencing pain or discomfort in the neck, neck, or back.
  • Experiencing pain or discomfort in one or both shoulders or arms
  • Feeling light-headed, faint or weak
  • Cold sweat may also be seen in many cases of possible heart attack.

In addition, unusual or unexplained, nausea, vomiting, and tiredness in combination with above symptoms may indicate a heart attack threat. It is important to note that women are more likely to experience these symptoms. The significance of identifying signs of heart attack lies in the fact that chances of surviving a heart attack depend on how quickly the patient is able to get the emergency treatment.

Heart Attack Risk Factors

There are a number of heart attack risk factors including age, lifestyle, and family history. A majority of population across the world shows one of the three heart attack causes and risk factors:

  • High blood pressure
  • Smoking
  • High blood cholesterol

Mitigate the Risk of Heart Attack

Healthy eating habits

  • Avoid saturated and trans fat completely
  • Consume more foods rich in fiber
  • Limit salt (sodium) and sugar in your diet

Maintain a Healthy weight

Overweight or obesity tends to increase the risk of heart attack as it puts extra stress on the heart and blood vessels. Moderate intensity exercise like walking, bicycling, brisk walking for 30 minutes, 5 days a week can be helpful.

Smoking and heart attack risk

Smoking is known as the biggest risk factor for heart attack. If you are a non-smoker, you are doing GREAT. Else, quit it with immediate effect to lower your risk for heart disease significantly.

Regular Health Check-ups

A heart attack can be fatal; therefore it is importance to recognize early signs of a heart attack as well as take precautionary measures to ward off this deadly disease. Also, go for health screening every six months, which may include tests like ECG, ECHO etc. You should also speak to your physician about minimizing the risk or making recovery from heart attack.

Visit Making India Heart Strong website, anytime, for any heart-related testing or treatment for high heart rate or heart stroke treatment. Take care of your heart and enjoy a healthy life!

 

References

https://www.who.int/health-topics/cardiovascular-diseases/#tab=tab_1

 

FAQs

Q. How is smoking and heart attack riskrelated?

Smoking is the major preventable cause of heart diseases across the world. Nicotine and other harmful components of cigarette smoke may contribute to the following adverse affects on the heart:

  • Higher heart rate and blood pressure
  • More blood clotting
  • Less oxygen to the heart
  • Damaging the cells that line coronary arteries

Quitting smoking can lower significantly lower the risk of heart disease, even more than the use of medicines (aspirin, statins, ACE inhibitors and beta blockers) used to lower heart attack risk.

Q. What are the causes of heart attack at young age?

Heart attack at young age is not that common but still a fraction of young generation may get affected. Here are some risk factors of heart attack at young age.

  • Smoking
  • High blood pressure
  • Excessive alcohol use or substance abuse
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Poor diet
  • High cholesterol levels
  • Diabetes

 

Q. Do women exhibit different symptoms of heart attack?

It has been found that women experience heart attacks differently than men. In fact, classic symptoms of heart attack like chest or arm pain may be absent in women. Still, here are the symptoms that women may show:

  • Anxiety
  • Lightheadedness
  • Pressure or pain in the center of chest, spreading to the arm
  • Shortness of breath
  • Indigestion
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Unusual fatigue lasting for several days
  • Upper back, shoulder or throat pain
  • Jaw pain

Q. Does your body warn you before a heart attack?

Although heart diseases may or may not produce its classic symptoms, it is important to keep an eye some of the common symptoms of heart attack, including squeezing, pressure, fullness, and pain in the center of the chest, which spreads to the shoulder, neck, or jaw. In addition, symptoms like upper abdominal pressure or discomfort, nausea, fainting, sweating, or shortness of breath (with or without chest discomfort) also warrant attention.

Q. How to keep heart healthy after heart attack?

Here are some effective that you can take to recover from a heart attack as well as preventing another one in the future:

  • Stop smoking with immediate effect
  • Keep your blood pressure in check as it puts pressure on your heart and blood pressure
  • Control your bad cholesterol (LDL) as it increases the risk of heart disease
  • Watch out for diabetes
  • Regular cardio exercise including running, walking, jogging, bicycling, and swimming can help make your heart stronger
  • Consume a heart-healthy diet including more fruits, vegetables and nuts.
  • Don’t take stress

Go for regular health check-up and keep an eye on vital statistics.

Categories
Food Diet

Foods to Eat and Avoid After a Heart Attack

Foods to Eat and Avoid After a Heart Attack

A combination of healthy diet and lifestyle can work wonders when it comes to prevention and recovery from heart attack. And believe us it’s not that difficult to make these changes.

Being healthy is all about the choices you make, in terms of what you eat and how you choose to live your life. As research studies suggest, people who follow a healthy lifestyle, which includes a healthy dietary pattern, regular physical activity, normal body mass index (BMI), not smoking, and no or moderate alcohol intake have 45–81 percent lower risk of heart failure.

Here is effective advice on heart healthy foods that you should prefer and unhealthy foods that you need to avoid while recovering from a heart attack:

Don’t Consume Excess Calories

It is important to know how many calories your body needs to maintain your weight. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recommends 2400 kcal per day per person for rural areas and 2100 kcal for urban areas. However, an individual’s actual need depends on several factors including gender, age, and level of physical activity.

To avoid weight gain (being overweight increases the risk of heart diseases), make sure you consume calories not more than what you are able to burn up every day.

Add Variety to Your Food Plate, & Cook them Traditionally

For people making recovery from heart attack, it is important to pick and choose nutritious foods from all the food groups. According to researchers, plant-based diets rich in micronutrients, antioxidants, dietary nitrate and fiber, but low in sodium, saturated and trans fats may be effective in minimizing risk of heart diseases. A diet rich in whole grains, minerals, and protein, but lower in calories is considered beneficial for those who have survived a heart attack.

If you are a non-vegetarian, you can choose poultry and fish without skin. In addition to choosing a right food, how you cook it holds equal significance. Remember the golden rule, cook your own meals and eat them fresh, and prepare them using healthy ways. Fermentation, pickling and baking are healthier, provided you don’t use saturated and trans fat, and processed flour.

After basic advice on healthy eating ways, let’s zero in on foods recommended for people recovering from heart attack:

Heart Healthy Foods

  • Lean meats
  • Nuts, beans, and legumes
  • Low-fat dairy products
  • Eggs (you can eat up to six per week)
  • Whole grains
  • Plant-based oils, such as olive oil
  • Skinless poultry and fish such as salmon, herring, sardines, trout and mackerel
  • Lots of fruits and vegetables (all seasonal as nature knows what is good for us)

Fish is loaded with omega-3 fatty acid that is known to be a heart healthy for its ability to help reduce cholesterol and promote vascular health.

And, when it comes to healthy drinks, nothing can beat the goodness of water. Be generous when it comes to water intake. Try to avoid carbonated and packaged drinks completely.

Foods to Avoid After a Heart Attack

As a rule of thumb, stay away from salt, excess sugar, and unhealthy fats (saturated and trans fat). Here are the foods completely prohibited for heart attack survivors.

  • Fast and fried foods
  • Packaged and canned foods
  • Candies and chips
  • Processed frozen meals (as they contain enormous amount of harmful food preservatives and trans fat)
  • Cookies, cakes, biscuits, and ice cream (due to artificial colours and preservatives)
  • Condiments including ketchup, mayonnaise, and packaged dressing
  • Red meat (fatal for those with heart-related ailments)
  • Alcohol
  • Hydrogenated vegetable oils (these contain trans fats)
  • Pizza, burgers, and hot dogs
  • Caffeinated beverages may cause harm too. Better avoid or limit coffee and tea.

You can visit Making India Heart Strong website, anytime, for more information on heart health including heart-related testing or treatment for high heart rate or heart stroke treatment.

 

References:
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5971679/
  • https://www.fao.org/3/x0172e/x0172e02.htm
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5971679/

FAQ

Q. What is the biggest myth about heart-healthy foods?

That they don’t taste good. Healthy eating doesn’t necessarily mean those complicated diet charts and a strict eating schedule. In fact, there are so many foods that can be made into a delicious heart healthy recipe. If you are a non-vegetarian, you can prepare so many tasty dishes from fish. Just avoid frying.

Similarly, nuts, beans and legumes can be used to make many heart healthy dishes. You can take cue from South Indian foods like sambhar and idli and of course those mouth-watering chutneys. Don’t complain. Just be a bit creative and enjoy actually healthy and flavorful foods. The best thing about these preparations is that they make you feel light and energetic at the same time.

Q. We have been hearing a lot about antioxidants. What are they and how do they help promote good heart health? And of course, what are the sources?

Plants contain certain phytochemicals that act as antioxidants. They are called antioxidants because they mitigate the damaging effects of oxidants or free radicals, produced as a byeproduct of breakdown of food molecules or enter the body through external sources such as pollution, tobacco smoke, and exposure to the sun.

It is known that foods rich in antioxidants, especially darkly colored vegetables and fruits are heart healthy in the view that they help maintain a healthy weight, which is one of the most effective strategies for prevention of heart disease.

Foods rich in antioxidants

Vitamin C: Dark green vegetables, tomatoes, pineapple, mangos, papaya and guava etc.

Vitamin E: Soybean, nuts, seeds, whole grains, corn, soybeans, sweet potatoes, and legumes (beans, lentils, split peas) etc.

Beta Carotene: Green vegetables and fruits such as spinach, broccoli, sweet potatoes, carrots, red and yellow peppers, apricots, and mangos etc.

Q. How can we minimize the amount of cholesterol in my diet?

The best way to minimize dietary consumption of cholesterol is to limit animal products. Plants don’t produce or supply cholesterol. Only animals including humans do that. Therefore, consumption of any food that comes from an animal source, including dairy products, meat and eggs supply cholesterol. Some foods, such as egg yolks, liver and other organ meats contain even high amount of cholesterol.

So, it is advised to avoid or limit these foods, especially if you are battling high blood cholesterol. You can prefer plant foods such as spinach over cheese or beans over beef to control your blood cholesterol levels.

Q. Are vitamin supplements really required? If yes when?

Vitamin intake is definitely good for heart. But, it is better you try to get it from natural foods like fruits and dark coloured vegetables. However, certain populations, including elders, pregnant women or people struggling with nutritional deficiencies can consider taking supplements.

In addition, the people whose busy and stressful schedules don’t allow them to eat a balanced diet can ask their doctor about the good vitamin supplements. Since supplements are not well regulated, it is important to take care of things like the brand and the possible side effects.

Categories
Prevention Share

Types of Heart Disease and How to Help Prevent Them

Types of Heart Disease and How to Help Prevent Them

What is heart disease?

Heart disease is a catch-all phrase for a range of conditions affecting heart structure and function.

Take care of your heart by understanding the types of heart diseases and adopting heart-healthy lifestyle strategies to reduce the risk.

These are four different types-

Coronary heart disease

It develops when the arteries of the heart are unable to deliver enough oxygen-rich blood to the heart. It is caused by the buildup of plaque inside the lining of coronary arteries. Symptoms of this disease may vary from person to person even if they have the same type of coronary heart disease.

Arrhythmia

An arrhythmia is an uneven or irregular heartbeat. The heart beats either too fast or too slow, resulting in a broad range of symptoms. It may show up as a pounding in your chest or feeling as though your heart is skipping a beat.

Heart valve disease

This type of heart disease occurs when one or more of the valves in your heart don’t work properly. The causes include leakage of a valve, or the congenital absence of a valve opening (atresia).

Heart failure

It occurs when your heart muscle does not pump enough blood to meet the demands for blood and oxygen required by the body.

Identifying the symptoms of heart disease

Sometimes heart disease may occur with no recognized symptoms (silent) and not diagnosed until a person experiences a cardiac event such as heart attack. Some of the alarming symptoms of heart disease are:

  • Crushing chest pain (angina), radiating to your arm, neck, or back.
  • Pressure, or squeezing sensation in your chest
  • Shortness of breath or dizziness
  • Fluttering feelings in the chest

What are the main causes of heart disease?

Certain traits, conditions, or habits may increase your risk for heart attack and other heart related problems. Addressing controllable causative factors puts you on a path toward better heart health.

The key factors that cause heart diseases include

  • Diet rich in saturated or trans-fat, and cholesterol
  • Obesity
  • Uncontrolled diabetes and blood pressure
  • Drinking too much alcohol
  • Smoking

Taking preventive steps is crucial at an early age. The above mentioned key factors are also the major causes contributing to heart attack at young age.

How I can lower my risk for heart diseases?

Making changes in the lifestyle proactively is the key to a healthy heart. These simple steps may prevent the risk of heart attack and delay heart diseases.

  • Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish, and low in salt and saturated fat.
  • Monitor diabetes on a regular basis. High levels of blood sugar lead to heart attack.
  • Maintain your weight in a healthy range (BMI between18.5 to 24.9 kg/m² ).
  • Regular physical activity. Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity.
  • Take your medicines as directed by a healthcare provider.
  • Quit smoking and limit your drink to prevent different types of heart diseases.
  • Having your blood pressure and cholesterol level checked –even if your risk of developing heart disease is low.
  • Manage stress and make sure that you get six to eight hours of sleep each day.

Getting tested to know your heart disease risk

Individuals should see their healthcare provider regularly to undergo screenings. Risk assessment is an important to know your risk of developing heart diseases. Making India Heartstrong website helps you calculate your risk. Know more about heart diseases and heart attack recovery by visiting the website.

FAQs

Q: How hypertension leads to heart disease?

High blood pressure may contribute to increasing risk of different types of coronary heart diseases. It causes your heart to work harder as it damages the arteries by making them less elastic, thus decreasing the flow of blood and oxygen to your heart. Over time, a higher workload leads to the thickening of heart muscles. Along with, cholesterol deposits in the blood vessels, it increases the risk of a heart attack. Also, with high blood pressure, the heart weakens over time which may lead to heart failure.

Q: How exercise helps to keep the heart healthy?

Exercise strengthens the heart and improves the function of the heart by making it more efficient and blood vessels more flexible. The increased flexibility of the blood vessels makes them resistant to the buildup of fatty deposits—a known contributor to heart disease. Regular work-up lowers your blood pressure and regulates your blood sugar level and prevent different types of heart diseases.

Q: Can heart attack happen at any age?

Heart attack can happen at any age. At present, many heart diseases are happening to people in their 20s and 30s more and more often. The main causes of heart attack at a younger age include high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking. Physical inactivity, obesity, diabetes and unhealthy eating patterns also contribute to increased risk of heart attack, stroke and other heart health problems.

Q: How to keep the heart healthy after a heart attack?

After a heart attack, it is important to manage risk factors (such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol level, and diabetes) by taking regular medicines, quitting smoking, eating heart-healthy food, controlling stress levels, and getting active. This helps you reduce your risk of heart attacks in future.

Q: What is a heart-healthy diet plan?

A heart-healthy diet consists of lots of fruits and veggies, whole grains, lean poultry, and fish and low in saturated fats, trans fats, and excess sodium and sugar. As a rule of thumb, your plate should be half full and should contain a variety of vegetables at every meal.

 

References
  1. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/go-red-get-fit/sleep-women-and-heart-disease
  2. https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adults/index.htm
  3. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/about.htm
  4. https://www.keckmedicine.org/4-types-of-heart-disease-and-how-to-help-prevent-them/
  5. https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/heart-disease-symptoms-types
  6. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/coronary_ad.htm
  7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31553287/
  8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5331469/
  9. https://ada.com/conditions/coronary-artery-disease/
  10. https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/43/Supplement_1/S111
Categories
Aware Care Prepare Sign Symptoms

Early signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes and how to avoid

Early signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes and how to avoid

Heart disease is a leading cause of death, especially in people with type 2 diabetes. This is because uncontrolled type 2 diabetes increases your risk of heart attack and other serious heart health complications. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes is extremely important.

How do you know if you are type 2 diabetic?

Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong disease that causes blood sugar levels to be higher than normal. The onset of type 2 diabetes is gradual and early signs can be so mild at first that you don’t notice them. The signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes include-

  • Peeing more, often at night
  • Being thirstier
  • Dry mouth and itchy skin
  • Constant hunger
  • Lack of energy
  • Unintended weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Blurred vision
  • Increased susceptibility to infections
  • Numbness, or burning sensation in the hands or feet
  • Slow-healing wounds

Sometimes, diabetes affects your heart health. This is because the symptoms become more severe and potentially dangerous as the disease progresses.

What increases my risk of diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes stems from a combination of family history and lifestyle. Some of the causes such as aging or family history you can’t control, others you can. Addressing controllable causative factors puts you on a path toward better health.

Factors that put you at increased risk for diabetes include

  • Diet rich in saturated or trans-fat, and cholesterol
  • Being overweight (BMI more than 25)
  • Hypertension
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Drinking too much alcohol
  • Low HDL (“good”) cholesterol

What can I do to avoid or control type 2 diabetes?

Healthy lifestyle choices may help in slowing or preventing type 2 diabetes even if you have biological relatives living with diabetes. Making changes in the lifestyle proactively is the key to a healthy body. Small simple steps play a significant role in diabetes and heart disease prevention and treatment-

  • Tune-up your diet. Pay attention to the food labels you eat. Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fish, and low in salt and saturated fat. Eat smaller portions at regular intervals.
  • Move more. Diabetes treatmentincludes engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or doing 1 hour 15 minutes (75 minutes) of vigorous activity each week.
  • Limit your drink. Drink in moderate, one to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.
  • Regular medicines. Take your medicines as directed by a healthcare provider. Diabetes medication for heart diseaseprevention may include cholesterol-lowering drugs.
  • Quit smoking.Chances of developing type 2 diabetes increases by 30 to 40 percent in smokers.
  • Make sure that you get six to eight hours of sleep each day.
  • Manage stress. Relax yourself by pursuing your hobbies, listening to music, or practicing meditation.

If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, your doctor may prescribe medicines. Type 2 diabetes may lead to serious health concerns and long-term damage to your body if left untreated. Also, diabetes increases your heart attack risk. Monitoring blood sugar levels regularly is important. The goal is to remain within a specific range.

Getting tested to know your risk of type 2 diabetes

The only way to be sure your blood sugar level stays within the normal range is to monitor it regularly, especially if you are in a high-risk category or experience symptoms as above. Recognize symptoms of diabetes for better prognosis. Know how to avoid diabetes or keep it under control by visiting the Making India Heartstrong website.

FAQs

Q. What are the three P’s of diabetes?

Polydipsia (increased thirst), polyuria (frequent urination), and polyphagia (increased hunger) are three P’s of diabetes

Q. How diabetes affects your heart health?

High levels of blood sugar from diabetes damage your blood vessels and nerves controlling them. The longer your diabetes remains uncontrolled, the higher the chances that you will suffer from heart disease. If you’re a diabetic, you may develop heart disease at a younger age than those without diabetes.

Q. How is obesity related to diabetes?

Obesity increases levels of fatty acids and inflammation, leading to insulin resistance, which in turn causes the building up of high blood sugar and the development of type 2 diabetes. In short, the more extra weight you carry, the more resistant your muscle and tissue cells will become to your insulin hormone. So, weight management is important for diabetes prevention and control.

Q. How can you monitor your blood glucose levels?

Type 2 diabetes diagnosis usually involves a blood test, hemoglobin A1c which indicates the average blood sugar level of the past three months. You can also test your blood sugar at home with a portable electronic device called a blood sugar meter using a small drop of your blood.

Q. Can type 2 diabetes be cured?

Type 2 diabetes is an ongoing disease. It cannot be cured but can be controlled. In some cases, it may go into the remission phase. It is important to watch out for sign and symptoms of diabetes. Through diet changes and weight loss, you may be able to reach and maintain normal blood sugar levels without medication.

Q. What triggers Type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is primarily the result of two interrelated problems either cells in the muscle, fat, and the liver become resistant to insulin or are unable to use it efficiently. This leads to glucose builds up in your bloodstream.. Being overweight and an inactive lifestyle are the most common factors to trigger type 2 diabetes. You must know how to avoid diabetes by making lifestyle changes.

Q. What should my blood sugar levels before and after meals?

The American Diabetes Association recommends a blood glucose range of 80-130 mg/dL before meals and less than 180 mg/dL about 2 hours after a meal. This range should place your HbA1c under 7.

 

  1. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes/type-2-diabetes
  2. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/symptoms.html
  3. https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/type-2-diabetes-symptoms
  4. https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-risk
  5. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/tests-diagnosis
  6. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-2-diabetes/going-regular-check-ups/
  7. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/type2.html
  8. https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/health-information/cigarette-smoking-risk-factor-type-2-diabetes
  9. https://www.diabetes.org/a1c/diagnosis
  10. https://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/type-2-diabetes/type-2-diabetes-causes
Categories
Cholesterol

Prevention and Treatment of High Cholesterol

Prevention and treatment of high cholesterol

Prevention and Treatment of High Cholesterol

We often come across the term “high cholesterol” in discussions related to heart health and cholesterol treatment. Many of us could never understand what high cholesterol exactly is or, how detrimental it is to our heart health. These days, some people are totally unaware that they’re living with a problem of high cholesterol. But cholesterol and heart connection should be on everyone’s radar. 

Cholesterol, a natural component present in our blood, contributes to normal function of cell membranes and a number of other biological functions. However, having too much of it could be harmful. Basically, there are different types of cholesterol in our blood, one of which is high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, or “good” cholesterol. High levels of some kinds of cholesterol, including low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is also considered “bad” cholesterol, can be harmful to your cardiovascular health. If your blood contains too much bad cholesterol, it’s known as high cholesterol. When left untreated, you’re at an in increased risk of heart attack and stroke. So, for the prevention of heart problems, cholesterol treatment becomes extremely important. Cholesterol, combined with other risk factors such as high blood pressure, increases your risk of heart-related problems even more.

How Does High Cholesterol leads to Heart Disease

To reduce the risk of problems related to heart, cholesterol treatment is necessary. The effects of high cholesterol effects on heart health are serious and this shouldn’t be taken lightly. While cholesterol is essential for the body at normal levels, it becomes a silent danger for your heart health when its concentrations become too high. This is how high cholesterol leads to heart attack– 

  • The role of LDL cholesterol is to carry cholesterol to all the parts of human body. However, this bad type of cholesterol and heart disease are directly related.
  • Having excessive amounts of LDL cholesterol in your blood leads to building up of of artery-clogging plaque, which sticks to the walls of arteries, limits the blood flow to your heart and eventually leads to heart attack. 
  • This makes cholesterol one of the major causes of heart disease and its treatment is important to fight against heart disease. 
  • If your cholesterol level is high because of a high LDL, it may cause heart disease. But, if your cholesterol is high only because of a high level of good cholesterol or HDL, you’re probably not at risk.

What Are the signs and Symptoms and of High Cholesterol?

While unhealthy levels of cholesterol contribute to major problems related to heart, cholesterol symptoms are usually not overt. Some people think that they’ll be able to feel cholesterol symptoms if they have high cholesterol. Contrary to what they think, you may not know you have elevated levels of cholesterol until it is too late—when you experience a cardiac event. As with diabetes, hypertension and other conditions that cause heart disease, the lack of signs and symptoms doesn’t mean that you need not to worry about it. 5 Only in some cases, high cholesterol may lead to Xanthomas, a dermatologic condition in which people develop yellowish growths on their skin. These people may have high cholesterol levels. As there are no symptoms of high cholesterol in the vast majority of cases, having this condition can place you at an increased risk of a cardiac event. If you have this condition over many years, your risk of heart attacks and strokes might be higher than normal for your age. If you’re someone in your 20s or 30s, it’s extremely important for you to do something about your unhealthy cholesterol levels now.

How heart disease can be treated in people With High Cholesterol?

People with heart disease and unhealthy cholesterol levels, may have serious heart health problems such as congestive heart failure, heart attack, or heart rhythm problems. Because all these issues can result in death, cholesterol treatment for heart disease patients becomes important. The cholesterol and heart disease treatment options for patients vary depending on the type of heart disease they have. The most common strategies include making small lifestyle changes, taking medications as prescribed and undergoing surgery. In most of the cases, doctors recommend patients to make important lifestyle changes and encourage them for heart-healthy living. Depending on your condition, your doctor may also prescribe you the best medicines for cholesterol treatment and you should continue taking them in recommended dosage as prescribed.  In those with unhealthy cholesterol levels, taking cholesterol medications helps lower their levels of LDL cholesterol and raise their HDL, or good cholesterol levels. This cholesterol treatment lowers their risk of plaque buildup, reducing their chances for having another cardiac event. Many doctors recommend treating anyone with heart disease with cholesterol-lowering medications.  To strengthen your heart health, it’s worth making these cholesterol-lowering medications part of your normal routine.

What Are Some Simple Ways to Prevent Heart Disease In A Person With High Cholesterol?

High cholesterol and heart disease prevention is important to live a longer, healthier life. Preventing high cholesterol and heart disease involves a range of healthy behaviors –

  • Having your cholesterol checked –Even if your risk of developing heart disease is low, this is important. If you have high cholesterol, this needs to be done more often for heart disease prevention.
  • Taking medications as prescribed-You should never stop taking them or change dosage (or frequency) without first consulting the doctor.
  • Eat healthy- For high cholesterol prevention

– Include grains, legumes, nuts, fresh and vegetable and fruits and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon in your diet

– Avoid high-cholesterol foods such as fast foods and processed meats. 

– Cut back on tras fats, sodium and added sugars-Use the nutrition facts label on packaged foods.  

  • Staying physically active- Getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity is necessary. You can even get 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week. 
  • Living tobacco-free- It’s important to quit smoking if you have high cholesterol. And if you don’t smoke, don’t ever start.

Getting tested to know your heart disease risk

As high cholesterol has no symptoms, you may not know you have cholesterol problem until it is too late. Individuals should see their healthcare provider on a regular basis to undergo screenings and blood tests and know their cholesterol numbers. Risk assessment is an important aspect of heart disease prevention, which is why Making India Heartstrong website helps you calculate your individual risk of developing heart disease. Also, know your heart disease risk, steps for recovery, and more by visiting Making India Heartstrong website and keep heart diseases out of your life – for good.

FAQs-

Q. Can high cholesterol cause a heart attack?

Yes. Having high cholesterol leads to building up of fatty material in the arteries.  This buildup, which occurs over time, makes it harder for blood to flow through and leads to a heart attack.9

Q. How are ldl hdl and cholesterol related to heart disease? 

High levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol in blood can lead to buildup of artery-clogging plaque which results in heart disease. High levels of HDL or “good” cholesterol can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Q. How to know you have high cholesterol?

High cholesterol has no signs or symptoms. The only way is to get your cholesterol checked. A simple blood test, called a “lipid profile,” can be done to measure your cholesterol levels.

Q. Who Needs to Get Their Cholesterol Checked?

Most adults should get their cholesterol checked every 4 to 6 years even if they are at low risk   of developing cardiovascular disease. People with diabetes and other risk factors should get it checked more frequently.

Q. How high does your cholesterol have to be to have a heart attack?

There’s an increased risk of having a heart attack when your total cholesterol levels are 240 mg/dl and above.This unhealthy level raises the chance of blockage in the heart which may result in sudden heart attack.

 

References-
  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK351/
  2. https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/ldl_hdl.htm
  3. https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/risk_factors.htm#:~:text=Butyoucantakesteps,changingthingsyoucancontrol.&text=Type2diabeteslowershigh,ofheartdiseaseandstroke.
  4. https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/ldl_hdl.htm/
  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279318/
  6. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070918100608.htm
  7. https://www.healthline.com/health/heart-disease/drugs#role-of-medications
  8. https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/prevention.htm#:~:text=Eatinglotsoffoodshigh,(suchaspalmoil).
  9. https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/index.htm#:~:text=About38%25ofAmericanadults,deathintheUnitedStates.
  10. https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/cholesterol_screening.htm
  11. https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/health-strategies/cholesterol/index.html
Categories
Aware Care Prepare

Does High Cholesterol Cause Heart Disease?

Does High Cholesterol Cause Heart Disease

Cholesterol is vital for the formation of healthy cells membranes, certain hormones, and vitamin D. It has a waxy fat like texture. However, when a high level of low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) gets accumulated in the blood vessels, it causes high cholesterol, which if left untreated can lead to the chances of developing heart disease.

So if you’ve been diagnosed with high cholesterol, you need to retool your daily routine and eating habit to make them healthier. But before we delve down to discuss a cholesterol-friendly lifestyle, let us know more about cholesterol, its types, what are the causes of high cholesterol, and how high cholesterol can lead to heart disease and heart attack chances.

Why is high cholesterol a risk for heart attack?

When there is too high level of bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) or too low level of HDL (high-density lipoprotein) in your blood, fatty deposit builds up in the arteries thus making it narrower to carry oxygenated blood to the heart. This can cause a condition called atherosclerosis – a form of heart disease.

If total cholesterol levels reach 240 mg/dl and above, and it is left untreated for long, it raises the chance of blockage in the heart which may result in sudden heart attack.

What are the types of cholesterol and their role in heart function?

Cholesterol is primarily classified into four types:

  • Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) or Bad Cholesterol contributes to the formation of plaque build-up in the arteries and is linked to higher risk for heart attack and stroke. For a healthy heart function, the LDL level should always be less than 100mg/dL
  • High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) or the good cholesterol is also known as the Bad Cholesterol Eater as it tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver. A healthy level of HDL (40mg/dL or higher) in the blood helps to protect against heart attack, while low levels of HDL (less than 40 mg/dL) can increase the risk of plaque build-up and heart disease.
  • Triglycerides is another form of fat found in the blood. Many heart disease patients often have a high triglyceride levels. One should always have triglyceride numbers less than 150.
  • Lipoprotein-A (Lp(a)) Cholesterol is a genetic variation of LDL (bad) cholesterol that may interact with substances found in artery walls and contribute to the buildup of fatty deposits. If your Lp (a) numbers are greater than the 30 mg/dL threshold, this may triple your risk of having a heart attack or stroke at an early age.

What are the factors that cause high cholesterol?

Many lifestyle factors such as smoking, consumption of diet rich in saturated and trans fat such as red meat, packaged foods like baked cookies, crackers, popcorn, soups with high sodium and sugar content, and lack of exercise, as well as presence of underlying condition, such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes are the factors that contribute to your risk of high bad cholesterol.

What are the warning signs of high cholesterol?

Some warning signs of high cholesterol are extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, pain in the neck, jaw, chest, upper abdomen, or back, and numbness or coldness at most of the time. Consult a doctor at the first sign to avoid any unwanted risk.

What is an ideal cholesterol level for a healthy heart?

For healthy functioning heart, the total cholesterol level should remain less than 200 mg/dl. While for people with heart disease, the LDL cholesterol should be always less than 70 mg/dl.

Why you should never stop your medication for high cholesterol and heart disease?

If you’re on a  high cholesterol medication, you should never stop or skip on your prescribed drugs for cholesterol or hypertension , without consulting your doctor – , as it can increase your risk for heart attack or other cardiovascular events to two-fold.

If in any circumstances you forget or fail to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But, if it’s almost time for your next dose instead eating two doses to make up for the one you missed, start again with your regular dosing schedule with the next dose.

6 lifestyle changes to lower your high cholesterol and heart attack risk

When it comes to health, it largely depends on the lifestyle. Here’s what you should do to lower your cholesterol and heart disease risk:

  1. Exercise every day – Practicing at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week or 75 minutes of high-intensity aerobic activity a week, or a combination of both moderate and intense exercise can work wonders for your heart health.
  2. Eat mindful – To lower your cholesterol:
    • Keep a count on your calorie intake
    • Reduce consumption of saturated fats and carbohydrates to minimal.
    • Limit your sugar and sodium intake
    • Consume cholesterol-lowering foods, such as beans, fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, whole grains and nuts and seeds.
    • Include foods rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats like olive oil, olives, almonds and walnuts, as well as foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel.
  3. Minimize stress – Stress itself can cause high blood pressure and high cholesterol as it leads to things like being inactive, overeating, and restlessness. Meditation, deep breathing exercises, dancing, painting, playing music or practicing any hobby of your choice helps to minimize stress.
  4. Say no to tobacco  –
  5. Limit alcohol intake – Drink only on special occasions. Make sure to follow the Dietary Guidelines of American Heart Association which recommends women to have no more than one alcoholic drink a day, while men to have no more than two drinks a day.
  6. Sleep well– A good night sleep for 6 -7 hours is essential to keep a control on your cholesterol level.

Make smart choices now to set yourself up for a balanced cholesterol and healthy heart down the road.

Categories
Causes

How High Blood Pressure Can Lead to a Heart Attack?

How High Blood Pressure Can Lead to a Heart Attack?

High blood pressure (HBP), a condition in which the force of the blood against the artery walls is too high, is usually defined when the blood pressure rises above 130/80 mg/dl. HBP is a chronic condition, and if it is left undetected or uncontrolled for a long time it can cause hypertensive heart disease and heart attack.

Read on this article to know more about the connection between hypertension and heart attack…

How does high blood pressure can cause heart attack?

High blood pressure damages the wall of arteries and decreases the flow of blood and oxygen to heart, thus leading to ischemic heart disease. Reduced blood flow to the heart can cause severe chest pain, also called angina. Over a time, when blood flow gets blocked completely and the heart muscle starves of oxygen, it can lead to a heart attack.

Make sure to monitor your blood pressure regularly and if your number reads:

  • 120–129mmHg -it is elevated hypertension
  • 130–139mmHg – it’s called stage 1 hypertension
  • Top number (systolic pressure) is 140 or above, its stage 2 hypertension
  • Over 180, its considered as hypertensive crisis

Consult a doctor immediately.

What are the common symptoms of hypertension and heart attack?

Some of the common signs of high blood pressure that may lead to heart attack, includes:

  • Tightness or pressure, pain, or a squeezing or aching sensation in your chest
  • Pain in the jaws, neck, back, arms, or shoulders
  • Nausea, indigestion, heartburn or abdominal pain
  • Cold sweat
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Severe headaches
  • Nosebleed
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Fatigue
  • Blood in the urine
  • Leg or ankle swelling

What happens to your blood pressure numbers during heart attack?

Your blood pressure might rise or fall down during a heart attack because certain hormones level, such as adrenaline, fluctuate due stress or tightness in the chest. If the top number (systolic pressure) during blood pressure test is persistently above 180 or lower than 90, or your diastolic blood pressure (the lower number) is greater than 110 or lower than 50, do not delay consulting your healthcare specialist/cardiologist.

What are the causes of high blood pressure?

Blood pressure becomes high due to unhealthy lifestyle choices and it develops gradually over time. Some of the key factors that prone us to develop high blood pressure include:

  • Lack of physical activity
  • Eating too much salt (sodium) in diet
  • Lack of potassium in diet
  • Being overweight
  • Older age
  • Stress
  • Genetics
  • Smoking and tobacco chewing
  • Too much consumption of alcohol

Why healthy, fit people leading an active life get heart attacks and sudden cardiac arrest?

Nowadays, those who appear fit and are particular about their diet and exercise have also been found succumbing to heart attack. Possibly due to today’s high-pressure lifestyle, heart attacks are striking more at a younger population – those in their 30s and 40s.

Researchers explain individuals having family history of cardiac disease are at risk of developing block in the artery, and are unaware of it unless they undergo cardiac scan. Sudden emotion or high intensity exercise can suddenly blocks the blood flow entirely to a portion of the heart, which leads to a sudden cardiac arrest. So if you or anyone in your family is above the age of 35, have family history of Cardiovascular, Diabetes, Cerebrovascular disease, or planning to initiate exercise program make sure to get an annual cardiac check-up done, even if no possible signs or symptoms is noted. This might help your doctor to pick up any blockage at an early stage and prevent any unwanted complications to happen.

Can high blood pressure be cured?

High blood pressure or hypertension is a chronic disease, and there is, unfortunately, no cure for it. You can only keep it in control with medication and healthy lifestyle choices.

If you’re a high blood pressure patient, you need to continue with your prescribed medicines lifelong to ward off any serious health complications like heart attack.

Make sure to take your medication as directed by the doctor and attend regular medical follow up without a fail.

What lifestyle modifications are essential to lower the risk of high blood pressure that can lead to heart attack?

Lifestyle changes you can make to keep your blood pressure numbers in control and heart attack at bay includes:

  • Shed-off extra weight and maintain your BMI to normal
  • Follow a regular exercise regimen
  • Eat a balanced diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy.
  • Reduce salt (sodium) intake to minimal
  • Say no to packaged foods like chips, cooking, or any ready to eat stuff available in market
  • Cut saturated fat intake completely
  • Limit alcohol intake to only 1 or 2 drinks a week
  • Quit smoking and tobacco chewing.
  • Cut on caffeine intake
  • Meditate or practice a hobby to reduce your stress
  • Sleep well for at least 6 to 7 hours every night
  • Never miss on your high blood pressure medications
  • Go for regular health check-up

So, if you’re 18 years or above, get your blood pressure checked at least once a year to keep a check on your numbers. However, getting more frequent blood pressure readings becomes essential if you are above 40 years, have a family history of hypertension, or you’re dealing with any lifestyle diseases like diabetes, high cholesterol, kidney issue, any cardiovascular risk profile or any other chronic disease – to avoid dreadful complication like heart disease or chances of sudden heart attack.

Stay aware to stay healthy!

Categories
Causes Sign Symptoms

Heart failure in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Heart failure in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

We’ve all heard of the big signs that have always been associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) such as developing retinopathy, foot ulcers or amputation due to nerve damage, and about the possibility of getting kidney disease. But, there’s one prime complication of diabetes that is mostly overlooked and less-talked about, even today heart failure is a condition in which heart fails to efficiently pump oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. Yes, in people who have T2D the chance of developing heart failure is two to four times more expected than those without diabetes.

The good news is that understanding more about the link between heart failure and diabetes can help you to protect your heart and manage your diabetes, thus preventing the worse outcomes. Let us break-down in detail the connection between heart disease and diabetes, including the leading hypothesis of why diabetes increases heart failure risk, what is heart failure. Also, learn to identify the signs of this often-forgotten complication and practical ways to reduce the risk

Diabetes and Heart disease: What’s the connection?

The link between diabetes and heart disease starts with high blood sugar levels and eventually leading to other complications. In diabetics, sugar resides in the bloodstream and can also leak out from the liver, eventually damaging the blood vessels and nerves that control your heart. Thus, in diabetics when glucose-levels are uncontrolled or fluctuate frequently, it causes heart complications.

Additionally, diabetes has some common conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high BMI index that also raise the risk for heart disease.

Heart failure and its signs and symptoms

When your heart muscle weakens to the point where it doesn’t pump enough blood to your body, heart failure occurs.

Heart failure is a slowly developing long term condition, therefore, initially no physical symptoms are observed. However, the inability of heart to pump blood around the body causes fluid to build up in tissues, and over time it leads to:

  • Breathing difficulty
  • Fatigue
  • Reduced ability to exercise
  • Swelling in legs, ankle and feet
  • Difficulty in walking
  • Rapid weight gain due to fluid retention
  • Coughing pink, foamy mucus

Tips to reduce heart failure risk in type 2 diabetes people

To reduce your risk for heart disease, make sure to:

  • Eat a well-balanced diet. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, healthy fats and less in salt benefits in managing both diabetes and heart health.
  • Stay active and exercise: Exercise for at least 30 minutes, five to seven days a week may help reduce your blood pressure, cholesterol, and abdominal fat.
  • Say no to stress. Elevated stress hormones increase your blood glucose, blood pressure, and body fat levels, thus leading to complications like heart failure, sudden heart attack in diabetes patients so avoid stressing.
  • Keep your blood glucose levels in control: Eating a healthy diabetic diet, staying active, managing stress, getting enough sleep, and taking your recommended medications to maintain will help to maintain your blood sugar but also reduce associated complications.
  • Go for regular health check-up: Doctor will ask for A1C test, every three months, to assess your blood glucose levels and may also suggest other tests for proper diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, diabetics, especially, should never miss upon their routine health-checkups.
  • Take your medications without a fail: Always adhere to your prescribed medications, as directed, for hypertension, cholesterol, blood sugar. Never stop your medicines even if your numbers are in control.
  • Sleep for 7 to 8 hours every night: This may help prevent high blood pressure and high blood sugar. It’s also important for your overall well-being and energy levels, working as a miracle for people with diabetes and heart disease.
  • Stop smoking: Go for smoking cessation program and take your medications as directed.

Remember, both diabetes and heart failure have a much higher risk of worse health outcomes leading to more emergency room visits, earlier death, and overall poorer quality of life, hence make sure to always adhere to your prescribed medicines and follow-up regularly with your healthcare providers to get the treatment you need to protect your health.

Stay mindful to stay heart healthy!

 

Reference:
  1. Martín-Timón I, Sevillano-Collantes C, Segura-Galindo A, Del Cañizo-Gómez FJ. Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease: Have all risk factors the same strength?. World J Diabetes. 2014;5(4):444-470. doi:10.4239/wjd.v5.i4.444
Categories
Sign Symptoms

Common Treatments Following a Heart Attack

Common Treatments Following a Heart Attack

Heart attack occurs when a part of the heart muscle does not get adequate blood flow. Heart attack treatment can limit this damage and dramatically improve your condition. Knowing about the available treatment options can help you understand your treatment plan in a better way when you talk with your doctor.

It is equally important to recognize the symptoms of heart attack. If you suspect symptoms such as chest discomfort, or shortness of breath, call emergency medical services immediately. This is important even if you’re not sure that it’s a heart attack. In hospital, a medical team runs tests and gives you the best heart attack treatment.

Common Treatments for Heart Attack

The goal of these treatments is restoring blood flow to the heart. The common options include-

  • Medications- Heart attack recovery may include taking medications such as anticoagulants, beta blockers, anti-platelet agents or more depending on the situation. Anticoagulants effectively manage certain heart related conditions. Cholesterol-lowering medications are also recommended to reduce the chances of heart attack in future.
  • Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)- The goal of this heart attack treatment is to open narrowed or blocked artery and restore blood supply to the damaged tissue. One of the most common methods to achieve this is deployment of a stent to keep the narrowed artery open during the procedure.
  • Coronary artery bypass surgery- If PCI fails to clear the blockages and/or doctor finds high-grade blockages in any of the major coronary arteries, heart bypass is recommended. It diverts blood around narrowed areas of the major arteries so that the blood flow to heart can be improved.

Your healthcare team works with you and develops a heart disease treatment plan to improve your condition and prevent heart attack in future. The doctor also talks to you about lifestyle changes that help you prevent more heart problems.

Lifestyle Changes – Steps towards recovery and improved heart health

Making these changes helps you reduce your chances for having another cardiac event and feel better overall-

  • Taking your medications – Taking prescribed medicine is important for your recovery and ongoing health. Medicines are needed to be taken exactly as prescribed to work most effectively. Even if you are feeling better or your risk factors are under control, you should continue taking medicines as prescribed.
  • Eating healthy – Replace unhealthy foods with fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains and more healthy items. Physical activity also helps you restore your heart health.
  • Controlling your risk factors- Check your risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes and take necessary steps to bring them under control.
  • Attending follow-up appointments- This helps your medical team keep track of your medical condition. The team supports you to ensure that you recover safely and appropriately.

Protecting your heart health is not difficult- It takes some simple, healthy steps to prevent another heart attack after your heart disease treatment. Eating a healthy diet, doing physical activity and controlling your risk factors—in addition to taking your medicines correctly—can significantly improve your heart health and quality of life.

References-

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6366680/#:~:text=Heart%20attacks%20(also%20known%20as,750%2C000%20occurring%20annually%20(2)
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4000924/
  3. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/treatment-of-a-heart-attack
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556123/#:~:text=Percutaneous%20coronary%20intervention%20(PCI)%20is,supply%20to%20the%20ischemic%20tissue.
  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507836/
  6. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/life-after-a-heart-attack
  7. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/heart_attack.htm

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