Heart diseases are very common in society. Arteries feeding the heart, namely coronary artery diseases, heart failure, arrhythmias and structural heart diseases are among the most common problems. Knowing the risk factors that cause heart diseases and living accordingly are effective in protecting heart health. Prof. from Memorial Şişli Hospital Cardiology Department. Dr. Sabri Demircan gave information about heart diseases and protection of heart health.
As age progresses, heart diseases begin to be seen more frequently, along with other accompanying problems. Heart diseases can be seen at an earlier age in people who have heart-related losses at an early age in their family or who have genetic heart diseases. Elderly individuals, those with diabetes and blood pressure disease, and smokers, accompanied by certain complaints, increase the likelihood of developing heart disease.
Not every chest pain means heart disease
The most common complaints of people diagnosed with heart disease are; shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations and fainting. But not all chest pain, shortness of breath or palpitations mean heart disease. When patients apply to the doctor with these complaints, the patient’s disease history and general risk profile are learned. After a detailed examination, it is determined whether these complaints are the result of a heart disease.
If you wake up with palpitations at night, beware!
Heart palpitations can be caused by the hormonal level of the body and physical activities. Palpitations after a light physical activity in inactive people may be due to heart disease; It can also occur as a result of inactivity, due to lack of condition. In people who wake up at night with palpitations, experience palpitations in the form of attacks at rest, but also have complaints of blackout, chest pain and fainting, these palpitations may be a sign of a serious heart disease or rhythm disorder. Chest pain, which occurs after the age of 40 in men and after the age of 55 in women and in the postmenopausal period, increases with physical effort and goes away with rest, should bring to mind heart disease. People who have diabetes and familial cholesterol problems and who smoke a lot can have cardiovascular diseases, even if they are young.
Your shortness of breath may be due to heart failure.
Heart failure is among the most common heart diseases. Heart failure is a decrease in the blood pumping capacity of the heart for various reasons. In advanced stages, heart failure can cause shortness of breath that wakes you up while changing clothes in daily activities, taking a bath or at night. Among the causes of heart failure; a congenital heart muscle problem, long-term uncontrolled blood pressure or rhythm disorder, a damage or disease in the heart muscle after a heart attack, or heart valve diseases. Patients with heart failure need to use medication for life. In addition to drug treatments, patients must also take certain precautions. Patients should not gain weight, have an active life, do appropriate exercises and follow a salt-free diet.
Treatment of rhythm disorders is possible with ablation method
Shortness of breath; It may be a symptom of heart failure, overweight, low condition, rhythm disorder or heart valve disease. A heart rhythm disorder causes the heart to beat too slowly, too fast, or irregularly. If there is a genetic problem in the family of the person with premature death, if there is heart failure or if he has had a heart attack, rhythm disorder can be a harbinger of sudden cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrhythmia can be treated with medication, ablation methods and a pacemaker.
High blood pressure can cause many heart diseases.
High blood pressure is also a very common cardiovascular problem. Intermittent, instantaneous blood pressure elevations or long-term uncontrolled blood pressure elevations reduce the quality of life of the person; It can cause problems such as heart failure, cardiovascular disease and stroke. For this reason, blood pressure control is especially important in heart patients. Drug treatments are applied in high blood pressure, but only drug treatments are not enough. The person should eat healthy, quit smoking if he has a habit, do exercise, stay away from stress and use his medications regularly.
These recommendations protect against heart disease
People with a family history of cardiovascular disease should be more careful about preventing cardiovascular diseases. Knowing the risk factors is important in protecting against heart disease. Age, gender and family history are risk factors that cannot be changed. Modifiable risk factors include; diseases such as smoking, stress, overweight, sedentary life and high blood pressure. Smoking should be avoided as smoking increases the risk of developing heart diseases. Having an active life, exercising is very important. Exercising for 30-40 minutes 5 days a week not only reduces the risk of developing heart disease, but also reduces the progression of the disease in people with heart disease and provides beneficial effects in compliance with treatment. Keeping the average number of daily steps around 7000 with pedometers positively affects heart health. Weight control must be ensured. Especially people with belly fat are at risk for heart diseases. Mediterranean-style eating habits should be adopted, where fresh vegetables, fruits, white meat, fish and healthy fats are consumed. The Mediterranean-style diet reduces the risk of many diseases, including heart disease. Avoiding stress and adequate and regular sleep also protect cardiovascular health.
Source: (BYZHA) – Beyaz News Agency
