Heart health and mental health are tightly linked, with 33 percent of all heart attack patients exhibiting clinical depressive signs. Dementia and memory loss have also been linked to poor heart health. Because the heart pumps blood throughout the body, it is directly or indirectly responsible for delivering water, oxygen, food, vitamins, minerals, and immunological support to every cell in your body. Hence, one of the most important strategies to ensure your wellbeing and live a long and happy life is to pay attention to your heart's health.
Heart disorders include the following:
- Coronary artery disease, a type of blood vessel illness
- Problems with heartbeat (arrhythmias)
- Congenital heart defects (when you are born with cardiac abnormalities)
- Heart valve problems
- Heart infection
- Heart muscle disease
Symptoms of unhealthy heart
Although the early indicators of a failing heart are less spectacular, learning to recognize them might help patients take action sooner rather than later. Here are some common warning signals to look out for, any or all of which could suggest an unhealthy cardiac condition.
- Chest pain, heartburn
- Short of breathness
- Irregular heartbeat
- Left arm pain
- Neck, jaw, throat, upper abdominal, or back pain
- Swollen feet
- Sexual health issues
- Constant exhaustion
- Sleep apnea
- Dizziness
- Dry cough
Causes of heart disease
- Coronary artery disease (CAD), a fatty plaque accumulation in your arteries
- Diabetes Medication Abuse
- Use of alcohol or caffeine in excess
- Blood pressure problems
- Poor diet, smoking
- Some OTC and prescription drugs, as well as nutritional supplements and herbal therapies
- Stress
Risk factors
The following are risk factors for heart disease:
Age: Damaged and constricted arteries, as well as a weakened or thicker heart muscle, grow with age.
Family history: A family history of heart disease raises your risk of coronary artery disease, particularly if a parent was diagnosed at a young age (before age 55 for a male relative, such as your brother or father, and 65 for a female relative, such as your mother or sister).
Gender: Men have a higher risk of heart disease than women. After menopause, women's risk also increases.
Obesity: Weight gain exacerbates heart disease risk factors.
Poor oral hygiene: If your teeth and gums aren't healthy, germs can enter your bloodstream and go to your heart, producing endocarditis.
Ways to keep your heart healthy
Maintaining a healthy weight and staying active are two of the most critical aspects of maintaining a healthy heart. Many of the dangers can be avoided by living a healthy lifestyle. While the most crucial determinant in heart health is age, it is sadly unchangeable. Some types of cardiac disease, such as heart defects, are unavoidable. But lifestyle modifications can help you improve your heart health and can also help you prevent it, such as:
- Avoid smoking
- Other health problems, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, can be managed
- On most days of the week, exercise for at least 30 minutes
- Consume a low-salt, low-saturated-fat diet
- Keep your weight in check
- Stress may be reduced and managed
- Maintain good hygiene
When to see a doctor
If you're worried about getting heart disease, talk to your doctor about what steps you can take to lower your risk. If you have a family history of heart disease, he may suggest you heart checkup or heart test to diagnose the disease. It’s better to make an appointment to see your doctor if you suspect you have heart disease based on new signs or symptoms.
Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited​
