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WORLD HEART DAY 28th September 2003

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Heart Special Bulletin

Today is celebrated as World Heart-Day all over the World. On this day it gives us great pleasure to release this article to create more awareness amongst us about Heart Disease. Today, most people have a hectic urban lifestyle, filled with career commitments of reaching to the summit at the earliest with a million $ dream. The heavy morning traffic and endless queues for public transport; the back-to-back meetings, reaching target deadlines, skipping the early morning breakfast and grabbing a bite of fast food are part of our changing lifestyle. As a result, we increase our chances of falling ill. Now a days, magazines and TV shows too warn us of the consequences of such a lifestyle, often mentioning rising levels of cholesterol, heart diseases and other health related problems. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the greatest single cause of death for both men and women, eclipsing all other causes, including cancer and lung diseases. Many of these deaths can be prevented, as CHD is related to our lifestyle. In developing countries, the diseases of the heart and blood vessels account for about 50% of all deaths in people below the age of 65. Heart disease does not discriminate between individuals. It attacks superstars and ordinary middle-class persons alike. CORONARY HEART DISEASE RISK FACTORS: Non-controllable Age Family history of premature coronary heart disease Gender- (males more prone than females) Controllable Obesity Physical inactivity Stress Cigarette Smoking Hypertension

Diabetes mellitus High cholesterol levels

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A HEART ATTACK WHEN Squeezing chest pain beneath breast bone. Chest pain that spreads to the arms, neck, jaw or shoulders. Chest pain accompanied by cold sweat. Chest pain accompanied by fainting, dizziness or giddiness. Chest pain that aches through the back. Chest pain accompanied by blue or pale skin. Feeling that heart is not beating properly. Chest pain accompanied by nausea or vomiting Chest pain with a feeling of anxiety or Overall weakness MISTAKEN SYMPTONS of HEART ATTACK Gas from indigestion of overeating Heartburn Gastritis Hyperacidity, Ulcers WOMEN AND HEART DISEASE A great deal of attention is being paid to breast cancer, but heart disease is considered the number one killer of women as well. Women are more likely to be caught unaware of CHD. Menopause is found to be the major risk factor. Oestrogen, the female hormone, protects women from CHD. During menopause, the levels of oestrogen decrease, thereby increasing chances of CHD. Thus, preventing CHD and prolonging life is in your hands: 1. Proper medical attention, including getting tests done when approaching menopause. 2. Stop smoking 3. Exercise, involving brisk walking and aerobics to reduce weight-not simply for the figure, but for the sake of your heart. 4. Cut down on fat; instead, switch over to nutritious, low- calorie, less fat diets. FIRST-AID FOR HEART-ATTACK Comfort & reassure the victim. Make the victim sit or lie in a comfortable position.

 Summon emergency medical help quickly. If the victim becomes unconscious, be prepared (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) if you are trained to do.

to

perform

CPR

MODIFYING RISKFACTORS THAT CAUSE HEART-ATTACK DIET: The risk of Coronary heart disease is increased by diet : Rich in calories High in saturated fat High cholesterol Rich in Salt Rich Refined sugar A vegetarian diet including chappatis, rice, dal and leafy vegetables provides a whole range of nutrients. The use of ghee, vanaspati and butter should be minimised. Fast foods are high in calories and salt and are low in fibre. Eating fast foods daily leads to obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease. OBESITY: Obesity has been found to be one of the major risk factor for CHD. Men who have waists that measure more than 36 inches and high triglyceride levels are at high risk of developing heart disease within five years. Obese children along with a family history of heart disease, have a greater risk for future heart trouble. INACTIVITY: Inactivity like watching TV, travelling in vehicles instead of walking when it is a walkable distance, leads to obesity (fats are not burned out): A brisk 30 minute walk and exercise have shown to reduce elevated blood fat levels and raise protective HDL cholesterol in blood. SMOKING: Smoking can double the risk of developing CHD and makes one prone to accumulate fat and develop arteriosclerosis due to decrease in HDL and damages the blood vessels. The risk for CHD increases in direct proportion to the number of cigarettes smoked. HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION): High blood pressure is often called the "silent killer" because it does not produce any signs or symptoms. It accelerates the accumulation of fatty deposits in and under the lining of the artery walls (atherogenesis), thus, leading to atherosclerosis. Elevated blood pressure may force the LDL particles into the lining of the artery more readily. It requires urgent medical intervention to prevent serious or fatal complications. STRESS: In modern life, stress is a major factor that affects health and results in heart disease. Stress includes frustration, anger and emotional and physical disturbances. Clinically speaking, stress raises the blood pressure, heart rate, raises blood sugar, increases the tendency of blood to clot, causes injures to the linings of the coronary arteries. There are ways to combat stress that include meditation, yoga, listening to music, walking, etc.

REGULAR PHYSICAL CHECK-UP The best method to detect the heart disease at an early stage specially for the highrisk groups is a physical check up, since many diseases such as diabetes and heart disease are asymptomatic. The timely detection will thus ensure proper control measures, medication and follow up. Check-ups are particularly useful for people in high-risk groups with a family history of diabetes and heart attack. Don't forget, care for your heart begins with controlling your weight, reducing stress, exercising regularly and abstaining from smoking. Healthy lifestyle needs to be supplemented with a healthy diet EARLY DETECTION GIVES YOUR HEART A PROLONGED LIFE *******