FAQ's About
HEART DISEASE
Eating and Exercise
1. Does salt play any role in developing a heart disease?
High intake of salt i.e. sodium, gets accumulated in the blood stream. It leads to an increase in the blood volume which gives extra pressure on the heart and the blood vessel. As the time pass the blood vessel stiffens leading to high blood pressure, heart diseases, and even stroke.
It is important to know that high salt content largely comes in processed and restaurant food. A quick way to manage salt is to avoid these food products, and at home, eat salt in moderation.
2. How does fibre help in managing heart’s health?
Fibre helps in lowering the cholesterol level in the body. Controlled level of cholesterol lessens the chances of an individual getting a heart disease. Pack your diet with whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans and legumes which are high fibre food. Remember, it is always better to go for natural choices rather than supplements, as natural food supplies other nutrients which are essential for the body.
3. Is eating fat-free food ticket to good heart?
Eating everything in moderation is the need of the hour. Cutting fat from the diet does not guarantee a healthy heart. Certain packaged food labelled as fat-free may have high salt or sugar content, which may in-turn increase the risk of getting a heart disease. Therefore, eating in moderation is the answer.
4. Is fish really good for the heart?
Fish (especially varieties like Salmon) is an excellent source of Omega 3 fatty acids, and they are relatively low in unhealthy saturated fat. Omega 3 reduces blood pressure and blood clotting. Therefore, it is considered as one of the most heart-healthy food. The list of heart-healthy food also includes nuts (almond & walnuts), berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries), vegetables (spinach, broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes), fruits (oranges, papaya, tomatoes), amongst many other food items.
5. Is one hour of exercise enough for healthy living?
The goal is to remain physically active. Modern day sedentary (inactive) lifestyle if the cause of a majority of the health problems. Even 30 minutes of exercise five times a day, combined with some daily physical chorus will be helpful.
6. Will walking alone help me in remaining fit?
Walking combined with mild aerobic activity could be ideal. However, in cases where it is impractical, walking alone can be of immense help to remain physically fit.
7. Which exercise is good for a heart patient?
Lifting heavy weight is not recommended to heart patients. Walking, after understanding the comfortable speed for an individual is important. Keeping the right pace and not getting exhausted is essential. In the case of any uneasiness, immediately report to the doctor.
8. Will eating habit play any role in causing heart disease?
It’s very simple; diet plays a significant role in protecting from or leading to heart disease. Diet high in fat, salt, sugar and alcohol pose a high risk of contracting heart disease. Whereas, a diet low in fat, salt, sugar and alcohol, and high in fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains has proven to be heart friendly.
About Heart Attack
1. What is a heart attack?
A person may experience a heart attack when the blood supply to the heart is suddenly reduced or blocked.
2. What can cause a heart attack?
There are very few people who have heart-related problems since birth. Most people develop these conditions over a period because of factors such as poor eating habit, lack of physical activity and smoking. These factors lead to narrowing and thickening of arteries (blood vessels), which may eventually lead to heart attack.
3. Angina is one of the most common terminologies. What does it mean?
When the arteries narrow down, it restricts blood supply to the heart. This condition causes a tight feeling, squeezing and pain in the chest which is called angina. Symptoms that indicate angina are chest pain, shortness of breath, pain in arms, jaw, shoulders, neck or back.
4. What are the signs of a heart attack?
The most common sign is chest pain and uneasiness. Amongst many other signs include sweating, pain in the jaw, back, arm, nausea, shortness of breath.
5. Can heart disease be hereditary?
If your family has a history of heart disease, there is a high probability you may get it. However, it is best avoided by managing high blood cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and maintaining an active lifestyle.
6. Are the symptoms of a heart attack different for men and women?
The symptoms in a man are breathing difficulty, pain in the jaw and left arm and intense chest pain. A woman may experience same symptoms, with dispersed pain around the neck, arms, abdomen, shoulders, at times reaching the back. This pain is similar to indigestion, although may not be consistent. It’s less pain and more anxiety, nausea, palpitations, and cold sweat. Data indicates that women suffer severe first attack which may lead to death, as compared to men.
7. Does the heart stop beating when a person suffers from a heart attack? Or, Is there any difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest?
The heart does not stop beating in case of an attack. It continues to beat with limited blood supply. This condition reduces the blood supply, making it difficult for the heart to operate. There are cases when the heart suddenly stops beating and is many times fatal; this is cardiac arrest.
Heart Diseases & Other Conditions
Smoking
1. How is smoking linked to heart disease?
Smoking has multiple adverse effects on the heart. Firstly, it damages the inner lining of the blood vessel. It increases blood clotting and fatty deposits in the arteries (vessels supplying oxygenated blood to the heart) which leads to tightening of the arteries. Also, nicotine increases the heart rate and blood pressure, which is one of the primary causes of heart attack.
Cholesterol
2. What is cholesterol? How does it impact the heart?
Cholesterol is fat-like waxy substance in the body used to build cell walls. It is also used by the body to produce some hormones. Lipoproteins in the blood carry cholesterol, and they are of two types, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). When the balance between these two lipoproteins is disturbed, or, when the cholesterol is too high in the body, it clogs the arteries. Clogging of arteries is responsible for its narrowing leading to increased risk of heart attack.
3. What causes high cholesterol?
The primary reason for high cholesterol is the genes; there is a high probability for you to encounter elevated levels of cholesterol if your parents or grandparents had. The next big reason is your diet, again eating in moderation does help. One could also focus on cutting down on fatty dairy and meat products, processed and deep fried food.
Obesity
4. Is obesity the biggest risk for the cause of a heart disease?
Research indicates that the greatest risk is an inactive (sedentary) lifestyle, especially of the people living in the city. Obesity is the second big reason, followed by a combination of high bleed pressure, smoking and high cholesterol.
High Blood Pressure
5. How is high blood pressure (hypertension) linked to heart disease?
Blood pressure is nothing but the measurement of the force of blood moving through the arteries, being pushed against the arterial walls. When the arteries narrow down, the heart has to apply extra pressure to pump the blood through the arteries. The application of constant pressure weakens the muscles leading to blockage of arteries.
Diabetes
6. How is diabetes linked to heart disease?
Diabetes is a condition in which the body is unable to effectively use the insulin it makes, which causes accumulation of sugar in the body. This further leads to the formation of blood clots in the arteries. Over a period, blood clots narrow the arteries and can cause severe blockages causing a heart attack.