By Vikas Vaidya :
Young people in our country, following a sedentary lifestyle, with unhealthy eating
practices including
consumption of alcohol and smoking cigarettes are in the risk zone. Genetic predisposition can further increase
an individual’s
vulnerability. Being fit does not always mean having a healthy heart.”
“A person may look perfectly fit, exercise regularly and still have significant heart disease. Silent risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, abnormal cholesterol, obesity, smoking, tobacco use and family history can continue to affect the heart without producing obvious symptoms. Regular health checks and a disciplined lifestyle are therefore essential,” stresses Interventional Cardiologist Dr Jaspal Arneja, Director of Dr Arneja Heart and Multispeciality Hospital, while interacting on The Hitavada’s People’s Mic with Vikas Vaidya, Principal Correspondent, The Hitavada.
After decades of treating cardiac patients, Dr Arneja feels, “Everything in moderation is good for health, but moderation must go hand in hand with discipline.” He believes that prevention should become a part of everyday life rather than something people think about only after developing a health problem.
Dr Arneja is alarmed at the reports of youngsters being affected with heart diseases. “Young people in our country, following a sedentary lifestyle, with unhealthy eating practices including consumption of alcohol and smoking cigarettes are in the risk zone. Genetic predisposition can further increase an individual’s vulnerability. Being fit does not always mean having a healthy heart,” he says.
According to Dr Arneja, people should not assume that being physically active or having a slim appearance automatically means they are protected from heart disease. A person can have high blood pressure, diabetes or cholesterol abnormalities without knowing it. In some cases, coronary artery disease may also remain silent until a major cardiac event occurs. This makes preventive screening particularly important for people with risk factors and a family history of premature heart disease. “Rather than waiting for symptoms, people should monitor their blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol status and discuss their overall cardiovascular risk with their doctor on a regular basis,” adds Dr Arneja.
When the conversation veers to heart attack, Dr Arneja states in clear, lucid terms, “A heart attack does not necessarily require an extremely high percentage of blockage. A smaller plaque can sometimes rupture suddenly, leading to formation of a blood clot that blocks blood flow to the heart. Therefore, the percentage of blockage alone does not always decide the risk of a heart attack.
The nature of the plaque, its location and the patient’s overall cardiovascular risk also matter. This is why people should not become falsely reassured simply because an earlier test showed that they had only a “minor” blockage.”
Another common misconception is that a 60, 70 or 80 per cent blockage automatically means angioplasty and inserting stents. Dr Arneja stresses that the decision to insert a stent should not be based merely on a percentage mentioned in an angiography report. “The location and significance of the blockage, symptoms, blood-flow limitation, heart function and the patient’s overall clinical condition have to be considered,” he elaborates.
Some patients may be appropriately managed with medicines and lifestyle modification, while others may require angioplasty and stents or bypass surgery. Patients should therefore ask their cardiologist why a stent is being recommended, what benefit it is expected to provide and whether there are proper alternatives before taking a decision. Dr Arneja advised.
One of the most important warnings is against casually dismissing chest discomfort as gas or acidity. Acidity is common and should not itself be ignored. But cardiac pain can sometimes resemble indigestion, acidity or gas.
“New, unexplained, severe or persistent chest discomfort – especially when accompanied by sweating, breathlessness, nausea, dizziness, unusual weakness or pain spreading to the arm, shoulder, back, neck or jaw -requires prompt medical evaluation,” warns Dr Arneja.
Smoking and tobacco consumption are among the habits that deserve particular attention. Smoking damages blood vessels and contributes to the development and progression of coronary artery disease. Tobacco in other forms should not be considered a safe alternative.
Young people should be especially cautious. What begins as experimentation or a social habit can become dependence and expose the individual to serious long-term health consequences.
No amount of exercise can simply cancel out the harmful effects of smoking or tobacco. The best choice for heart health is not to indulge in these vices – and for those already using tobacco, to make a sincere effort to quit.
Chronic stress, anxiety and inadequate sleep have become common features of modern life. While stress is not the sole cause of heart disease, it can influence blood pressure, sleep patterns, eating habits, physical activity and other behaviours associated with cardiovascular risk.
Adequate sleep and regular periods of relaxation should therefore be considered part of a healthy lifestyle.
On a concluding note, Dr Arneja states, “ A healthy heart is built through everyday choices – eat a balanced diet, avoid excessive junk food, stay away from smoking and tobacco, exercise regularly, sleep adequately, manage stress, monitor cardiovascular risk factors and never ignore unusual symptoms.”
For more insights into heart health, tune into The Hitavada’s People’s Mic podcast @TheHitavada1911.n
