cardiologist knows the devastating effects of this disease , It is very important to raise awareness about this illness and promote good cardiovascular health.
Cardiovascular diseases, especially coronary heart disease (CHD), are epidemic in India. The Registrar General of India reported that CHD led to 17% of total deaths and 26% of adult deaths in 2001-2003, which increased to 23% of total and 32% of adult deaths in 2010-2013. The World Health Organization (WHO) and Global Burden of Disease Study also have highlighted increasing trends in years of life lost (YLLs) and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from CHD in India. In India, studies have reported increasing CHD prevalence over the last 60 years, from 1% to 9%-10% in urban populations and <1% to 4%-6% in rural populations.
What is Cardiovascular Disease?
Cardiovascular disease (also known as heart disease) can actually be a number of different diseases that affect blood flow or circulation to the heart as well as the mechanical function and electrical circuitry system of the heart muscle. The most common form of heart disease is coronary heart disease (or coronary artery disease)
Coronary heart disease results from damage to the inner walls of the arteries and a build up of fatty cholesterol deposits called plaque in the arteries. This means that the small blood vessels that supply the heart with oxygen and blood become narrowed and blocked, so the heart receives less blood. When this happens, the heart must work harder to supply the vital organs, which puts strain on heart that could lead to a heart attack. In addition, the plaque may form clots that can become dislodged and make their way through the bloodstream to the brain, often resulting in a stroke.
Causes of Coronary Heart Disease
Multiple factors can contribute to this build up, including high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity, family history, stress and age. When many symptoms are grouped together, you may be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, which greatly increases your risk of having a heart attack or coronary episode.
If the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle is reduced or blocked, angina or a heart attack can occur.Angina is chest pain or discomfort. It may feel like pressure or squeezing in your chest. The pain also can occur in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. Angina pain may even feel like indigestion.
A heart attack occurs if the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a section of heart muscle is cut off. If blood flow isn’t restored quickly, the section of heart muscle begins to die. Without quick treatment, a heart attack can lead to serious health problems or death.
What Are the Symptoms of Heart Disease?
Although heart disease often progresses slowly over time, there are some common warning signs that you could be suffering from heart disease. These include:
• Tightness, pressure or pain in the chest (angina).
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Upper body pain that radiates through the jaws, upper shoulders, arms or back (especially for women)
Some less common signs include dizziness, sweating, nausea, vomiting and heart palpitations.