Fat May Stop Your Heart (Coronary Atherosclerosis)

The heart is an important organ for every human on this earth, which has its importance – but many people are getting drop dead in this world only because of heart attacks or heart-related diseases.

According to WHO (The Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke), An estimated 17 million people die of CVDs (Cardio Vascular Diseases, particularly heart attacks and strokes, every year.

via who.int

Coronary Atherosclerosis:

The deposition of fatty substances in the walls of coronary arteries (the arteries which supply heart muscle), causing them to narrow is called coronary atherosclerosis. Without good blood flow, the heart does not receive enough oxygen, leading to a heart attack. Heart attacks usually come on suddenly, but it is really the result of a process that takes years to develop.

Common causes of Heart Attacks:

• Age
• Sex
• Family history
• Personal history

Common human habits which lead to Heart Attacks:

• High blood cholesterol levels
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Overweight
• Sedentary lifestyle
• High blood pressure

Results of Heart Attack:

• Chest pain (Angina)
• Irregular heartbeat (Arrhythmias)
• Breathlessness
• Feeling restless
• Clammy skin
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of consciousness

What are the Ill Effects of Atherosclerosis:

• Atherosclerosis can lead to pain in the chest known as Angina.
• Atherosclerosis can lead to Heart Attack.
• Atherosclerosis can lead to stroke.

Treatment:

“Fast Action Is The Best Weapon Against Heart Attack”
If a person is treated during the first 2 hours after a heart attack, early treatment can improve outcomes.

Initial Treatment:

• Drugs like aspirin, analgesics, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers
• Oxygen therapy
• Electrical Defibrillation

Learn about Angioplasty: Here is a brief video that explains clearly about Fat deposition in Arteries and how this procedure opens arteries. The treatments like Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) – often abbreviated to angioplasty – is a procedure to re-open a narrowed coronary artery.

Surgical Treatment:

• PTCA (Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty)
• Placement of a stent
• Forceful injection of Fibrinolytics
• Mechanical stripping of the inner lining of a blood vessel
• CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting)

Heart Healthy Diet:

• Whole grain cereals such as oatmeal & oat bran
• Diet rich in fruits & vegetables
• Legumes such as kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas & lima beans
• Fish
• Low-salt food

Active Lifestyle:

• “Begin exercise well before atherosclerosis assumes a serious proportion”
• Physical activity can help you lose weight, cope better with stress & thereby reduce the risk.

Maintain a Healthy Weight:

• Atherosclerosis can be controlled at the beginning itself.
• Maintaining a healthy weight can decrease your risk factors for Atherosclerosis.

Reduce Stress:

• Learn how to manage stress, relax, cope with problems & build up a social support network.
• These can improve your emotional as well as your physical health.

Give up Cigarette Smoking:

• Quitting smoking will help you control cholesterol & blood pressure, thereby lower your risk for heart problems.