WHY ARE HEART DISEASES ON RISE? EXPERT SHARES CAUSES, RISKS AND LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO MANAGE IT

Heart diseases are becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide. Recent research reveals a disturbing trend where heart disease rates are increasing across age groups. Unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, and stress are just a few of the many contributing factors. Understanding the risk factors for heart disease is essential for maintaining heart health. Through proactive actions and seeking medical advice when necessary, people can lower their risk of heart disease, improve cardiovascular function, and improve their quality of life by making heart health a priority.

We got in touch with Dr Ravinder Singh Rao, MD DM Cardiology, Fellow American College of Cardiology, Interventional Structural Cardiologist who shares causes, risks and lifestyle changes to manage heart health.

Causes Of Heart Diseases

Dr Ravinder Singh Rao shares heart disease, including conditions like coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and heart failure developed due to a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Here are a few causes of heart disease.

- Lack Of Physical Activity

Minimal physical activity can result in high blood pressure, obesity, and abnormal cholesterol levels, which can lead to the development of severe heart diseases. Regular exercise and constant physical activity help maintain a healthy weight, improve cardiovascular functions, and lower the risk of heart disease.

- Poor Diet

Consuming a diet of saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, and sodium can lead to the accumulation of plaque in the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis. Poor and unhealthy food habits restrict the blood flow increasing the risk of heart diseases.

- High Blood Pressure or Hypertension

High blood pressure or hypertension forces the heart to work harder to pump blood throughout the body. This can cause artery damage over time, raising the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular issues.

- Diabetes

Higher blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and nerves over time. Because of this, people with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing heart disease. Complicated and unmanaged diabetes also contributes to the risk factors including obesity and hypertension.

- Smoking and Alcohol

Tobacco use and overconsumption of alcohol is a major risk factor for heart disease. The chemicals in cigarettes damage blood vessels, reduce oxygen delivery to the heart, and increase the formation of blood clots raising the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Heavy drinking can make the heart muscle weak and difficult for the heart to pump blood efficiently.

Risk Factors Associated With Heart Diseases

Dr Ravinder Singh Rao explains heart diseases are influenced by several factors such as the age of the individual, gender, ethnicity, etc.

Age: Age is a significant factor as the risk of developing heart disease increases with age. That being said, heart disease can happen at any age, particularly if other risk factors are involved.

Family History: Family history also plays a crucial role. Individuals who have a family history of early development of heart disease are at a higher risk due to genetic predispositions.

Gender Differences: Gender differences also play a massive role where men are usually at a higher risk of developing heart diseases. However, the risk for women increases after menopause when estrogen levels decline.

Stress: High stress levels can also contribute to the development of heart disease by triggering unhealthy coping mechanisms such as binge eating, smoking, vaping, or excessive alcohol consumption. Stress hormones can also have a direct effect on cardiovascular health by raising blood pressure and increasing the risk of cardiac issues such as heart attacks.

Lifestyle Changes To Manage Heart Health

Dr Ravinder Singh Rao shares several minor lifestyle changes that can help lead a healthy life with a healthy heart.

- Stress Management

Engaging in stress reduction practices like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing encourages relaxation and reduces the negative effects of long-term stress on the body and heart.

- Quitting Smoking And Limiting Alcohol Consumption

Quitting smoking is one of the most important steps you can take to improve heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease. Excessive alcohol consumption can increase blood pressure and eventually increase the risk of heart disease. Limiting your alcohol consumption can help reduce the risk of developing several heart diseases.

- Exercise and Balance diet

To increase cardiovascular fitness and maintain a healthy weight, include exercises like walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming in your life. Make an effort to eat a range of foods high in nutrients, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and healthy fats. Eat less processed food, sweetened beverages, and foods heavy in trans and saturated fats.

2024-06-20T08:51:18Z dg43tfdfdgfd