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Heart Disease Types and Prevention

Heart Disease Prevention

Sep 29th, 2021

Archive for September, 2021

Heart Disease Prevention

Wednesday, September 29th, 2021

Cardiovascular diseases claimed the lives of 17.9 million people worldwide in 2019 and caused 32% of all deaths. According to the Indian Heart Association, cardiologists have witnessed an upsurge in young adults suffering heart attacks in the last decade. In Indian men, 50% of all heart attacks occur before they reach the age of 50, and 25% of all heart attacks occur before they reach the age of 40. Cardiovascular disease is also a leading cause of death among Indian women.

The term “heart disease” refers to several types of heart conditions. The most common one being coronary artery disease (CAD), which affects the blood flow to the heart. Decreased blood flow can cause a heart attack. While heart disease can be fatal, an estimated 80% of all heart diseases can be prevented by adopting healthy lifestyle habits.

What are the Different Types of Heart Disease?

Several diseases and conditions fall under the umbrella of heart disease. Types of heart disease include:

  • Arrhythmia
    An arrhythmia is a heart rhythm abnormality.
  • Atherosclerosis
    Atherosclerosis is a hardening of the arteries.
  • Cardiomyopathy
    This condition causes the heart’s muscles to harden or grow weak.
  • Congenital heart defects
    Congenital heart defects are heart irregularities that are present at birth.
  • Coronary artery disease (CAD)
    CAD is caused by the build-up of plaque in the heart’s arteries. It’s sometimes called ischemic heart disease.
  • Heart infections
    Heart infections may be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.

Difference in heart attack symptoms for men and women

Research suggests that there are significant differences in how men and women experience a heart attack.

Warning signs in men

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men. Men exhibit the following symptoms during a heart attack:

  • Chest pain/tightening
  • Upper body pain in the arms, left shoulder, back, neck, jaw
  • Rapid heartbeats
  • Indigestion
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Cold sweat

Warning signs in women

Most women don’t experience the classic symptoms of heart attack like chest or arm pain. Here are the symptoms women experience:

  • Unusual fatigue lasting for several days
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Light-headedness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Indigestion
  • Upper back, jaw or shoulder

If you experience any of these signs or symptoms, seek emergency medical help. Try to stay as calm as possible and take deep, slow breaths while you wait for emergency care.

Prevention of Heart Disease

Risk factors of heart disease like age, gender, family history and ethnicity cannot be changed. However, there are many other risk factors that can be controlled. Follow theses heart-healthy steps to reduce your risk of heart disease:

  • Quit smoking
    You’re more than twice as likely to have a heart attack if you smoke than if you don’t.
  • Improve cholesterol levels
    It is important to manage your cholesterol levels and keep your LDL, HDL as well as triglycerides in control.
  • Control high blood pressure
    Adequate exercise, dietary changes and limited salt intake will help control your blood pressure levels. Take your medication regularly if prescribed.
  • Exercise regularly
    A minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of strenuous physical activity each week is recommended. Staying fit can help you manage your weight, lower your cholesterol, control your blood sugar, and reduce stress, all of which are beneficial to your heart health.
  • Say “No” to alcohol
    Drinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure. It also adds extra calories, which may cause weight gain. Both of those raise your risk of heart disease.
  • Follow a heart-healthy diet
    Try to limit saturated fats, foods high in sodium, and added sugars. Consume a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to keep your heart healthy.
  • Watch your weight
    It is beneficial to your heart to lose excess weight. It can also aid in the treatment of high blood pressure and diabetes, factors that increase your risk of a heart attack.
  • Get a good night’s sleep
    Sleep deprivation has been linked to a range of heart disease risk factors, including high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and heart failure, as well as a sleep disorder known as sleep apnoea.
  • Learn to manage stress
    Being stressed all the time due to professional and personal commitments is unhealthy for your heart. It raises your blood pressure levels and increases your risk of heart disease. Find ways to cope better with stress.
  • Be regular with Health checkups
    Track your health numbers by regular preventive checkups. This helps manage any risk factors of heart disease with lifestyle changes and medications.

Treatment at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

The Centre for Cardiac Sciences is equipped with cutting-edge technology, world-class infrastructure, and a highly skilled team of cardiologists and cardiac surgeons. We offer a comprehensive programme for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of heart disease in people of all ages, from infants to adults. The team also conducts high-end treatments that include minimally-invasive surgeries, beating heart coronary artery bypass grafting and awake cardiac surgery. Please find below our website link for further details: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_cardiacsciences.html

Know about Alzheimer’s Disease

Monday, September 20th, 2021

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurologic disorder that causes the brain to shrink and brain cells to die. It is the most prevalent cause of dementia, which is characterised by a steady loss in a person’s mental, behavioural, and social abilities that impairs their capacity to function independently. It is estimated that 5.3 million people above the age of 60 had dementia in India in 2020. This equals to one in 27 people, according to the Dementia in India 2020 report. Therapy and medications can benefit patient’s quality of life by temporarily improving or slowing the course of symptoms.

Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that develops slowly and worsens with time. It eventually affects every part of your brain. The condition can affect memory, reasoning, judgement, language, problem-solving, personality, and movement. It progresses through five phases and each person’s experience with Alzheimer’s disease is unique. The different stages include:

  • Preclinical Alzheimer’s disease
    This stage of Alzheimer’s can last for years, possibly even decades without showing any symptoms. Certain genetic tests can also help detect your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
    Mild cognitive impairment affects people’s memory and reasoning abilities just a little. These modifications aren’t yet large enough to have an impact on jobs or relationships. People may have memory lapses or make mistakes in their judgement.
  • Mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease
    Alzheimer’s disease is often diagnosed in the mild dementia stage, when it becomes clear to family and doctors that a person is having significant trouble with memory that impacts daily functioning.
    The symptoms include:
    • Memory loss of recent events
    • Difficulty with problem-solving
    • Personality changes
    • Difficulty organizing and expressing thoughts
    • Getting lost or misplacing belongings
  • Moderate dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease
    During the moderate dementia stage of Alzheimer’s disease, people tend to become more confused and forgetful and need more help with daily activities and self-care.
    The symptoms include:
    • Show increasingly poor judgment
    • Experience even greater memory loss
    • Need help with some daily activities
    • Outbursts of aggressive physical behaviour
  • Severe dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease
    Mental function continues to deteriorate in the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease, known as severe dementia, and the disease has a significant influence on movement and physical ability.
    The symptoms include:
    • Lose the ability to communicate coherently 
    • Require daily assistance with personal care
    • Experience a decline in physical abilities

Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is thought to be caused by the abnormal build-up of proteins in and around brain cells. Certain factors such as age, genetics, environment, lifestyle, and concurrent medical disorders may increase your risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease. Here are some preventive health tips reduce your chances of contracting the disease:

  • Manage your numbers
    Research shows strong connections between Alzheimer’s and conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Be regular with your health checkups.
  • Check your weight
    Maintain a healthy body weight to reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Exercise regularly
    When you exercise, even if it’s just a little amount, more blood flows to the brain, making it healthier. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise five days a week or more.
  • Take safety precautions
    Always wear a helmet while riding a bike or a seat belt while driving a car. Protect yourself from accidents that may lead to severe head injuries.
  • Don’t smoke
    Avoid all forms of tobacco.
  • Healthy diet
    Eat a healthy and balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean protein. Limit intake of added sugar, refined foods, and alcohol.
  • Challenge your mind
    People who keep learning and stay social may be less likely to get Alzheimer’s disease. Research suggests that mental stimulation helps you develop strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Here are some ways to keep your mind active and healthy:

  • Reading or writing
  • Solving puzzles like crosswords, sudoku or scrabbles
  • Playing cards
  • Arts and Crafts – Painting, drawing, knitting
  • Playing an instrument or listening to music

Alzheimer’s care at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is life-changing for the person with the disease, as well as their family and friends. Our Alzheimer and Memory Clinic offers a comprehensive screening and care program for this condition including neurology consultation, physical and cognitive rehabilitation, and psychotherapy. Take the first step towards managing your Alzheimer’s, consult our top therapists. Our team of experienced neurologists and rehabilitation specialists help manage this condition using a personalised multidisciplinary approach. Our Centre for Neurology is dedicated to provide world-class Alzheimer’s care, to improve the quality of life for those suffering from this condition. Please find below website for further details:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_neurosciences/alzheimer_sdisease.html

How to Set Smart Goals and Achieve them

Monday, September 13th, 2021

Do you find it difficult to meet your health objectives year after year? Do your New Year’s resolutions often fail? Achieving health goals about fitness, eating healthy, weight loss, and monitoring your health numbers does not have to be complicated. Choose reachable goals that will have a long-term impact on your everyday behaviours and help you improve your life. Avoid short-term health fads that can’t be maintained for an extended period of time. Forty percent of all chronic diseases can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating a healthy diet and working out regularly.

SMART goals

A good goal-setting strategy is the SMART goal checklist. SMART goals are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound. If you are looking at being fitter and healthier here are some tips to achieve your goal the SMART way:

  • Specific
    Make your goal very clear and specific. The first step in developing a good habit is to describe exactly what that new habit will be. Instead of saying you will eat more vegetables and fruits, your goal might be to fill 2/3 of your plate with healthy fruits and vegetables at each meal.
  • Measurable
    Is your objective measurable? Keeping track of your progress and holding yourself accountable will help you stay on track. A journal, whether online or on paper, is a great method to keep track of your progress. As a result, you’ll know when you’ve accomplished it. For example, It’s simple to measure if you eat 5 servings of vegetables every day or perform 20 squats every day. Only set targets for which you have a clear measurement criterion.
  • Achievable
    Always choose health goals that you are able to do. Starting a new health program is exciting and it’s easy to get caught up in the wonderful possibilities. It’s easy to get caught up in the exciting prospects of starting a health programme. That’s excellent, but be sure the objectives you’re setting are realistic. Begin slowly and gradually increase the difficulty of your goals.
  • Realistic
    It feels fantastic to achieve your goals, but it feels even worse when you don’t. So, before committing to specific health goals, consider your abilities and commitments. Attempt something difficult but not impossible. If the aim is too easy, you may always change it afterwards. If you start small, you’re more likely to see long-term behaviour change.
  • Timely
    Set a deadline for yourself. A goal isn’t much use if it doesn’t have a deadline. Giving your goals a deadline instills a feeling of urgency and accountability in them.

Healthy Eating

When you’re trying to develop new habits—whether it’s healthy eating, getting more exercise, or quitting smoking—you have a better chance of success if you make a plan ahead of time. Knowing why you want to eat healthier can help you make changes in your eating habits. You may have a family history of certain health conditions, fighting obesity, or want to control your blood pressure or diabetes levels.

Rather than eliminating anything from your diet, try adding something new. Include items that you believe you require more of, such as fruits and vegetables. You may feel starved if you begin by eliminating foods that are heavy in fat or sugar from your diet. This will make it more difficult for you to change. Make a conscious effort to eat more of the healthy meals that you enjoy. Make a list of your favourite foods and see what you can do to make them healthy. Slow, steady steps will set you up for success. Here are some steps to follow:

  • Set your goals
    Write down your goals, and hang them up where you can see them. Reading your goals can be helpful.
  • Track your progress
    Keeping track of your progress using a notebook, journal, or food record helps evaluate your progress from time to time.
  • Think about your barriers
    When you hit a barrier, and most people do – seek support. Talk to your family members and friends to find support and overcome the barriers.

Exercise & Fitness

Research suggests that many people would exercise more and lose weight if they knew how to fit working out into their busy schedules. You know you should exercise more, but that alone isn’t enough to motivate you. Here’s how to plan a workout routine and stick to it.

You know you should exercise more, but that won’t always get you going. Here’s how to devise and stick to an exercise program.

  • Set clear fitness goals
  • Personalizing your exercise goals
  • Choose exercises you enjoy doing
  • Seek help from a professional

Setting SMART objectives for health and fitness means you have clear ideas and are able to focus your efforts. This allows you to manage your time in a way that maximises your return and increases your chances of success. Get started with your health goals today!

National Nutrition Week

Saturday, September 4th, 2021

Nutrition Matters

Every year, from the 1st to the 7th of September, India celebrates National Nutrition Week to raise awareness about the importance of good nutrition and health. Eating healthy foods and exercising on a regular basis will help you live a longer and healthier life. A nutritious diet promotes a healthy pregnancy, supports normal growth, development, and aging, aids in body weight maintenance, and lowers the risk of chronic disease. For a healthy mind and healthy body, it is essential to eat a balanced diet with high nutrition. 

Benefits of Good Nutrition

Healthy food starts with a healthy diet in pregnancy, continues with breast milk for babies, and is important for children, teenagers, adults as well seniors. Here is how a healthy diet helps your body:

  • Strengthens your immunity
  • Improves mood
  • Provides energy
  • Maintains a healthy body weight
  • Helps you live longer
  • Reduces your risk of chronic diseases
  • Reduces risk of mental disorders

Nutrition and children

The theme of the 2021 National Nutrition Week is “feeding smart right from start”. If you learn healthy eating habits as a child, they are more likely to stay with you. That’s why it’s important that you teach your children healthy eating habits from a young age. Here are some healthy eating suggestions to consider:

  • Be a role model
  • Offer a variety of healthy food choices
  • Make mealtimes a priority
  • Avoid force-feeding
  • Skip the food reward
  • Put limits on screen time
  • Set snack boundaries

A Balanced Diet

Did you know? 9 out of 10 people suffer from a protein deficiency. This could be due to the increasing consumption of convenience foods that are high in carbs and sugars and low in protein or due to lack of awareness. It is essential to eat the right type and amount of foods to support a healthy lifestyle. Always remember deprivation is not the solution, creating a balance is. A well-balanced diet focuses on giving your body all of the nutrients it needs. It contains macronutrients such as protein, carbs, and fat, as well as micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals. These nutrients come from a variety of sources, including fruits and vegetables, cereals and pulses, meat and dairy products, as well as fats and oils. Here are some important foods to have:

  • Carbohydrates
    Carbohydrates are your body’s main source of energy. In India, 70-80% of total dietary calories are derived from carbohydrates present in plant foods such as cereals, millets, and pulses.
  • Proteins 
    About 30 to 35% of your diet should consist of protein. This could be in the form of pulses, milk, leafy greens, eggs, paneer, lentils, meat or sprouts.
  • Fats
    Fats provide energy, store vitamins, and synthesize hormones. About 1/5th of your diet should be devoted to fats all three kinds -polyunsaturated, monosaturated and omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Vitamins and Minerals 
    These micronutrients support metabolism, nerve and muscle function, bone maintenance, and cell production. Minerals are inorganic and so minerals from plants, meat, and fish easily find their way into the body. They can be derived from nuts, oilseeds, fruits, and green leafy vegetables.

Prioritize Your Meals

To keep your body running smoothly, you require three main meals coupled with healthy snacking to curb unnecessary cravings. Here is what an ideal diet should consist of:

  • Breakfast
    A good morning meal should comprise of three things. These are dietary fiber or carbohydrates (whole-grain bread, paratha, oatmeal), proteins (eggs and egg whites, yoghurt, milk, and sprouts) and nuts (almonds, walnuts, figs). This way you’ll eat fewer calories the rest of the day.
  • Lunch
    Make it a mix of high-fibre whole grains like brown rice, barley, or jowar, starchy carbs, and some good source of proteins like cottage cheese, pulses, lentils chicken, or fish. Include some probiotics like yogurt or buttermilk and fibre from fresh salads.
  • Dinner
    To maintain a healthy balanced diet, choose your dinner with a high satiety value, which will keep you fuller for longer and help you avoid midnight binges. Fill your plate with a variety of vegetables to load up on vitamins and minerals. Limit carbs but don’t eliminate them completely.

Don’t give up on snacking: Choose to snack healthy and substitute your fried snacks and chips with roasted snacks, fresh fruits, nuts or dips.

Disease Prevention

Eating healthy foods, getting adequate exercise, and refraining from tobacco and excessive alcohol use has positive effects on your health. Healthy eating can help lower your risk of certain medical conditions such as heart disease, stroke, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and various types of cancers.

Nutrition care at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

Looking for personalized dietary solutions to feel healthier? We offer holistic and individualized care to patients and help transform lives with a healthy diet plan. Meet highly trained and experienced dieticians from our Department of Nutrition Therapy for further guidance. Please find below the link for further details: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/nutritiontherapy.html