Early Signs of Heart Disease in India Everything You Need To Know

Rheumatic heart disease – A rheumatic heart disease is a form of chronic heart disease that is often caused by rheumatic fever and affects the connective tissues of the body including joints and valves of the heart. This type of heart ailment predominantly affects children but can occur at any age. The rheumatic cardiovascular disease symptoms include – chest pain, excess fatigue, irregular heart rate and weakness. Fever, rashes and pain in joints may also be present.

Valvular heart disease – This particular disease affects one or more of the four valves of the heart – aortic, mitral, pulmonary and tricuspid valves. People who are older are most susceptible to valvular heart diseases. Valvular heart disease affects the normal functioning of the heart valves by hardening and thinning the valves, which in turn, affects the blood flow and circulation in the body. The valvular cardiovascular disease symptoms include frequent fainting, severe fatigue, swelling on ankles, feet or abdomen and palpitations.

Hypertensive heart disease – One of the most common heart diseases, hypertensive heart disease causes include high blood pressure, which is responsible for damaging the blood vessels.

Cerebrovascular disease – Heart diseases may affect the blood flow to the brain and one of the most common causes of this disease is atherosclerosis (hardening or thickening of artery walls caused by the buildup of fat deposits). The signs of heart problems in this type of heart disease include severe thickening and accumulation of fat in the arteries. Cerebrovascular diseases can be identified by a blood clot in an artery of the brain, a blood clot in a vein of the brain or a deranged lipid profile. The common cerebrovascular heart disease prevention methods include bringing about lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.

Conditions that occur due to the abnormal rhythm of the heart – Arrhythmia is one such condition. It simply refers to an irregular heartbeat. The heart might beat too fast (tachycardia) or it might beat too slowly (bradycardia). Arrhythmia based conditions can be an emergency but sometimes it could be harmless too. Nevertheless, it is recommended to consult a doctor the moment you experience these symptoms to avoid further complications – chest pain, palpitations, dizziness and shortness of breath.

Conditions associated with heart wall defects – Many types of congenital heart diseases fall under this category. In patients suffering from these conditions, the walls existing between the left and right chambers of the heart might not have been formed properly. As a result of which, the blood flows back into the other chambers of the heart, putting more pressure on the heart. Congenital heart diseases can be identified by low birth weight, breathlessness, delayed growth and so on.

Inflammatory heart disease – This heart ailment is caused due to inflammation of the pericardium (the membrane that surrounds the heart), radiation therapy, fungal and bacterial infection, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and cancer. The symptoms include left side heart pain, dry cough, anxiety, fatigue and difficulty breathing.

Coronary Artery Disease – Also referred to as ischemic heart disease, this heart disease is caused by the buildup of plaque in the walls of coronary arteries which supply blood to the heart. The plaque buildup narrows the arteries, resulting in reduced blood flow to the heart, which in turn can cause chest pain, shortness of breath or even heart attack in case of an entire blockage of the arteries. High cholesterol levels, high blood pressure levels, diabetes and obesity are the major risks for coronary artery disease.

High blood pressure – According to medical studies, hypertensive heart disease is considered a leading cause of death in patients with high blood pressure. This condition includes different types of heart diseases, including heart failure, left ventricular hypertrophy and ischemic heart disease. Untreated high blood pressure can also lead to left ventricular hypertrophy, a condition where the heart muscles thicken, which increases the pressure on the heart. This condition affects the heart’s working and makes it tough for the heart to pump enough blood, decreasing the oxygen supply to various organs.

High cholesterol and triglycerides – High levels of cholesterol in your body can lead to early signs of heart problems. Hypertension and thickening of artery walls affect the coronary circulation of the heart and serve as risk factors for different types of heart problems. High LDL cholesterol levels and low HDL cholesterol levels can lead to clogged arteries causing further complications. Since our body requires oxygen to function, a decreased supply of oxygen can affect the normal functioning of the heart. As per medical experts, by the time patients realize that their recommended and normal cholesterol levels are deranged, they are already at risk of developing various types of heart problems. In such a case, the only preventive step a person can take is to get regular cardiac tests done and find ways to lower their cholesterol levels by altering their diet and lifestyle.

Smoking – Smoking is one of the leading causes of heart diseases in India. Smoking can increase triglycerides in the blood and make the blood sticky and thick, making it more likely to clot. This increases the risks of left side heart pain. Other harmful health effects of smoking include – increasing plaque, fat, cholesterol and calcium buildup.

Excessive alcohol consumption – Regular and excessive alcohol consumption causes about 95,000 deaths in a single year in the US. Furthermore, deaths due to drinking account for at least 1 in 10 working-age adult deaths. Harmless as it may seem, excessive drinking can, over time, lead to the development of various types of heart problems. It can lead to severe heart conditions, such as cardiomyopathy and an irregular heartbeat.

Being overweight and obese – Being overweight is one of the major cardiovascular disease risk factors in children and adults. Obesity indicates high cholesterol levels in your body. It puts patients at a greater risk of developing health complications due to clogged arteries. Additionally, obesity can also lead to diabetes, high blood pressure and this, in turn, can lead to heart congestion.

Relationship between diabetes and heart disease – Uncontrolled diabetes is one of the major causes of several heart conditions. According to the American Heart Association, the risk of developing CVD in people with diabetes is more than double that in the general population. Also, as per medical research, death due to CVD is 70% higher in adults with diabetes.

A family history of heart disease – According to medical studies, patients who have one or more cases of heart disease in their family are at an increased risk of developing the condition at a more severe stage. Their family history makes them “genetically vulnerable” to also developing heart diseases. Additionally, this also makes one more vulnerable to developing diabetes, abnormally high cholesterol levels, obesity, hypertension or high blood pressure, all of which are proven potential risk factors of heart disease.

Poor dietary choices – It has been proven across several medical research studies that unhealthy eating habits can lead to Indian adults developing high cholesterol levels, ultimately leading to various heart ailments including blockage and heart congestion. There is no denying that cholesterol is crucial for the body’s normal functioning and cell membranes. However, high levels of triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein or LDL are responsible for causing heart-related trouble in patients. High-density lipoprotein or HDL helps reduce LDL levels in the body and thereby also brings down occurrences of cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Age – It has been observed and studied that people over the age of 65 are at a higher risk of developing several heart conditions. With age, the buildup of fatty deposits on the walls of arteries also increases, thus putting older people at an increased risk of developing symptoms of heart disease.

Lack of physical activity – Not performing enough physical movement or activities can increase the chances of developing the symptoms of a blocked artery and other metabolic disorders. It has been observed that people who are less active and less inclined towards performing physical exercises are at a greater risk of developing hypertension, diabetes and heart diseases in the future.

Sleep apnea – Research indicates a direct relationship between sleep apnea and heart problem symptoms in females and males. Thus, seeking treatment for sleep apnea is bound to improve the overall health and can help minimize the chances of a heart attack. Obstructive sleep apnea causes the oxygen levels in the blood to fall suddenly, leading to excessive production and release of adrenaline or epinephrine in the body. This increases blood pressure and stress on the heart. Moreover, obstructive sleep apnea can also cause atrial fibrillation, a form of irregular heartbeat.

High stress and anxiety levels – Individuals who go through regular anxiety or panic attacks are more likely to develop heart-related disorders that may present as left side heart pain which affects their cardiovascular health. Depression also reduces blood flow to the heart and increases the production of cortisol – a stress hormone in the body. This may not cause any heart trouble initially. However, with time, it can cause an increase in cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Leaky heart valves – As we all know, there are four valves in the heart, namely – the tricuspid, the mitral, the pulmonary and the aortic. They have flaps that allow the blood to flow in the correct direction. A leaky valve can lead to backflow of blood which in turn causes overworking of the heart. This increases the risk of other complications.

Due to some infections, autoimmune conditions, congenital malformations or cancers – As per experts, infections, medical conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, genetic defects and disorders all contribute towards heart problems in women and men.

Out of one crore annual deaths in India, cardiovascular disease is responsible for 20.3% of deaths in men.

It is reported that 50% of the heart attacks in Indian men occur under 50 years of age and 25% of the heart attacks in Indian men occur under 40 years of age.

Over the past few years, it has been observed that half the men who die of a sudden heart attack had no symptoms of any heart disease or signs of blockage in the heart. This chilling revelation only increases the importance of getting regular heart-related tests from time to time.

Diet – Consult a doctor to know the right diet for the male patient and encourage them to follow it religiously.

Exercise – As a caretaker, encourage the patient to stay active and do exercises that will help strengthen his cardiovascular system.

Lifestyle modifications – Following a good routine to eat, sleep and exercise on time every day can be very helpful. Practising self-care and relaxation techniques for being emotionally fit is also recommended. Encourage them to quit smoking and alcohol for good health.

Regular checkup – Schedule heart-related tests periodically and follow up regularly with their doctor on their treatment plans and medications to limit the risk of complications.

Stay informed – Learn about the causes of heart palpitation and other heart abnormalities that can occur in male patients in order to offer the most effective care.

Quit unhealthy habits – Smoking and excessive alcohol intake can be very harmful to your heart. Encourage them to stay away from these harmful habits.

Nearly 8.6 million women die due to cardiovascular disease each year. This is more than the percentage of men dying due to stroke each year.

Out of one crore annual deaths in India, cardiovascular disease is responsible for 16.9% of deaths in women.

If you notice any heart problem symptoms in females, consult a doctor without delay.

Consult a dietician.

Encourage them to reduce their salt intake.

Ensure that they do not consume processed or packaged food and limit the intake of sugary foods.

Help with stress management.

Motivate them to opt for a healthy lifestyle – eating, sleeping and exercising on time.

Some time for self-care and hobbies.

Make sure they take all their medications timely.

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) – This test records the electrical signals in the heart, which can be used to detect any underlying signs of a heart attack in women and men. This test can be easily performed in any doctor’s clinic or hospital and is most commonly done to know the signs of any heart trouble in patients.

Holter monitoring – Also known as ambulatory Electrocardiograms or ECG, this test helps diagnose early signs of heart trouble, early signs of a heart attack in women and can help prevent chances of a heart attack.

Echocardiogram – This diagnostic test uses ultrasound waves to examine the heart valves and chambers and evaluate how well the heart is functioning. This helps to identify signs of heart disease like weak heart muscle, blood clots inside the heart and to spot abnormalities in the heart. Thus it helps prevent early signs of a heart attack in women and men.

Stress test – Stress tests help diagnose heart problems, coronary artery diseases and other heart disorders.

Angiogram/Cardiac catheterization – This is a common type of cardiac catheterization procedure that helps diagnose heart problems in women.

Cardiac computerized tomography (CT) scan – Computed Tomography or CT scan captures multiple images of different layers of the heart to diagnose the cause of heart blockage in females and males.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – This method is the most used method to diagnose any underlying symptoms of heart blockage in males and females.

Cardiac markers – Cardiac biomarkers of cardiac enzymes are useful for detecting damages in the heart valves and muscles and therefore diagnose symptoms of heart disease in women and men.

Anticoagulants or blood thinners – They help reduce the clotting ability of the blood.

Antiplatelet agents – They help prevent blood clots in people who have had a heart attack.

ACE Inhibitors, beta-blockers and diuretics – They have also been used widely for treating cardiovascular diseases.

Angioplasty – Angioplasty is a procedure used to open clogged coronary arteries which are blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. It involves inserting a balloon or catheter in a blocked coronary artery to widen it, thereby improving blood flow to your heart.

Stent Implantation – Angioplasty is mostly followed by placing a device which is a small wire mesh tube called a stent, inside a coronary artery to prevent the artery from narrowing again. This surgical procedure is termed stent placement.

Thrombolytic therapy – Thrombolytic therapy, also known as, thrombolysis, is an emergency treatment to dissolve blood clots forming in arteries, which are the main cause of heart attacks and stroke. It involves the administration of clot-busting drugs through an IV or a long catheter.

CABG – Commonly known as bypass surgery, coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is a procedure that redirects blood around blocked or partially blocked coronary arteries to facilitate better flow of blood to the heart. It can help provide relief from symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath and also reduce the risk of dying of heart disease.

Pacemaker surgery – This surgery involves the implantation of a pacemaker, otherwise called a cardiac pacing device, a small electronic device that is usually placed in the chest that can help regulate your heartbeat. It significantly prevents your heartbeat from slowing to a dangerously low rate.

Exercise regularly – Staying physically active can help in controlling your weight, strengthening your heart and improving your blood circulation.

Maintain a healthy weight – Losing extra weight can go a long way in managing risk factors of heart diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Quit smoking and limit alcohol – Men should limit their alcohol intake to 2 drinks per day and women should not have more than one drink in a day to reduce the risk of developing heart disease. It is best if you do not smoke and consume alcohol at all.

8 incredible foods that are good for your heart – Consume a lot of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, legumes and lean meat and try to avoid processed carbohydrates, saturated fats and minimize your intake of salt and sugar. 

Keep diabetes under control – Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly and adopt dietary and lifestyle changes to keep them under control. 

Check your blood pressure – Since high blood pressure is a major risk factor, it is important to be screened at least once a year and take medications to maintain your blood pressure within normal limits. 

Monitor your cholesterol and triglyceride – It is recommended to check your cholesterol and triglyceride levels once every 4 – 6 months. If you have high cholesterol, medications, lifestyle and dietary changes can significantly help in minimizing the risk of heart disease.