Why is high blood pressure dangerous?
Higher the blood pressure, higher is the risk of damage to the heart and blood vessels in major organs such as the kidney and brain.
Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to an enlargement of the heart, heart attack, and eventually heart failure. Hypertension can also lead to blindness, stroke, and kidney failure.
What is valvular heart disease?
The heart’s valves keep blood flowing through the heart in the right direction. But a range of conditions can result in valvular damage. Valves may narrow (stenosis), not close properly (prolapse) or leak (regurgitation or insufficiency). This can cause your body to be disrupted by the blood flow through your heart.
Is there a link between obesity and heart disease?
Yes. Being overweight and obese can cause a high risk of multiple heart problems. It can lead to high blood pressure. Excess weight also increases the chance of atherosclerosis (cholesterol deposits in the arteries causing blocks), abnormal heart rhythms, heart attacks and significantly increases the risk of heart failure.
What are the specific tests required to diagnose heart disease?
Patients suspected to have a heart attack require to undergo ECG or electrocardiogram immediately. If the initial ECG is not diagnostic but the symptoms and signs are highly suggestive of a heart attack, repeating the ECG after 30-60 minutes and performing a blood test to detect high levels of cardiac enzymes such as Cardiac Troponins or CK-MB are additionally useful. Old heart attacks are often diagnosed based on ECG or Echocardiography.
What time of the day does one usually get a heart attack?
Heart attacks can occur at any time of the day. However, due to various neuro-hormonal variations associated with the circadian rhythm, some clustering of heart attacks is noted in the mornings between 6 am and 12 noon. Some physicians have noted more heart attacks in the wee hours, i.e., between 3 and 6 am.
Is bypass surgery a permanent solution for heart blocks?
No treatment for coronary blocks can be considered a permanent solution. A small number of patients can have the failure of bypass surgery very early. In a majority, Bypass surgeries can help to feel better and prolong life for over 10-15 years. Again, lifestyle and adherence to medical advice after bypass surgery are of paramount importance in keeping the procedure durable. Visit Best Heart Hospital in Bangalore to avail of advanced heart surgeries or procedures.
What are the precautions to be taken post a heart surgery or angioplasty?
It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle post a heart surgery includes: Quit smoking. Eat a healthy diet that is low in saturated fat. Lower your cholesterol levels. Try to maintain a healthy weight. Exercise regularly. Control other conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Do not skip any medications prescribed by your doctor.
What causes high BP or hypertension?
The cause of high blood pressure is unclear in most people. However, older age, physical inactivity, poor diet, obesity, kidney problems, alcohol use, certain birth control pills, and persistent stress can all contribute to the development of hypertension.
People with high blood pressure usually have no signs when their blood pressure is excessively high, or if they have already had high blood pressure.
How to prevent high blood pressure?
High blood pressure can be prevented and controlled by maintaining a healthy diet.
Reduce your salt intake. Increase the intake of vegetables and fruits. Avoid saturated fats.
Engage yourself in moderate exercises. Aim for a minimum of thirty minutes of aerobic activity, such as brisk walks for five days a week.
Avoid and stop smoking and other tobacco products and avoid alcohol abuse.
Reduce stress levels by engaging with fun activities and meditation.
If advised medications, please take them regularly.
Does erratic sleep over the long run lead to a potential heart attack? Are the professionals working night shifts at a higher risk of a heart attack?
Yes. Every individual needs at least 6-8 hours of undisturbed sleep. Studies have shown that working night shift meddles with the body’s circadian rhythm, putting it under stress and making it more susceptible to heart problems like irregular heartbeats and heart attack.
What is heart failure?
Heart failure is a condition in which your heart is not pumping normally and is unable to deliver oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. It does not mean the heart has stopped working. It means that it is working at lower efficiency. The heart muscle is either too weak and cannot pump blood to the rest of the body with enough force (systolic failure) and/or has trouble relaxing and becomes stiff (diastolic failure). This causes a build-up of fluid (congestion) in the lungs, feet, and other body tissues. This generally develops slowly but can also present very rapidly.
