{"id":62,"date":"2023-05-17T17:15:03","date_gmt":"2023-05-17T16:15:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/halleysclinic.com\/?p=62"},"modified":"2023-05-17T18:01:35","modified_gmt":"2023-05-17T17:01:35","slug":"how-to-keep-heart-healthy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/halleysclinic.com\/index.php\/2023\/05\/17\/how-to-keep-heart-healthy\/","title":{"rendered":"HOW TO KEEP HEART HEALTHY?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

–By DR. AK RANA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keeping our heart healthy is becoming a new challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heart problems are becoming the leading cause of death globally. This increased trend is leading to worries and questions about our lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s true other than genetics; our changed lifestyle needs to be blamed for it. Increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI ) is being seen not only in 50s but also in 30s. What is the cause? Where are we wrong?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And most importantly what needs to be done to protect our heart?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNDERSTANDING OUR HEART<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heart is made up of four chambers, 2 atria <\/em>and 2 ventricles<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deoxygenated blood from the body reaches right atrium through superior and inferior vena cava.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From right atrium, blood goes to right ventricle which pumps the blood to pulmonary artery which goes to lung and from lungs; pulmonary veins bring back the oxygenated blood back to left atrium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From left atrium blood goes to left ventricle, which pumps it to aorta,<\/em> through which oxygenated blood reaches the rest of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"schematic<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

THINGS THAT MAKE OUR HEART WEAK<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.   Sedentary lifestyle<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bad food habits (eating too much saturated and trans-fats)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These contribute to two conditions in general atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis \u2013 leading to narrowing down of blood vessels, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plaque in arteries when gets dislodged and reaches coronary artery, it can lead to MI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2.   SECONDLY \u2013 In this super fast running life, there is \u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No sleep-wake cycle<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No time for healthy and timely eating breakfast, lunch, dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Too much exertion and stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reason \u2013 increased Adrenaline release in the body to meet the requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the time, it results in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) that is increase in the size of heart to meet demand of body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isn\u2019t it good? A bigger heart?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not at all!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A bigger heart comes with greater responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have to provide it with more oxygen and nutrients, it becomes a weak point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In case of narrowing of coronary artery, when body is under too much stress, it can lead to myocardial infarction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[ MI is necrosis(dying) of cardiac cells due to insufficient blood reaching it]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Drinking less water<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Too busy to even forget to drink adequate water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reason \u2013 Don\u2019t think that water cannot be a remedy to each and everything; to tell you the truth, it really is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To understand it, you must know about ADH ( anti-diuretic hormone) released by posterior pituitary and acts on our renal tubules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It reabsorbs the water back and concentrates the urine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In case of dehydration, ADH increases in body and not only kidney, it also acts on heart which over the time weakens it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. ALCOHOL<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alcohol induced cardiomyopathy ( abnormal structure and function of heart in absence of CAD, HTN, valvular and congenital disease).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acetaldehyde is involved which is one of the product of alcohol metabolism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is deficiency of selenium, Thiamine and magnesium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It increases risk of stroke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if put a check on alcohol intake, this condition can be reversed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. SMOKING<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nicotine that acts as stimulant and anxiolytic, seems to relieve anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, what comes next is undeniable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nicotine goes into blood and causes arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis ( narrowing and thickening of blood vessels) predisposing the person to myocardial infarction(MI).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have seen youths taking up smoking for fun\/hobby\/peer-pressure but you must remember that nicotine is very addictive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It creates craving for it, and once you enters this vicious cycle, there seems no way out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are medications and camps that are working to help people free themselves from this addiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HOW DO WE KEEP OUR HEART HEALTHY?<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n