WORLD HEART DAY

World Heart Day is here once again and the whole cardiology fraternity looks to bring more focus on this one organ. This one organ, smaller than the brain, spleen, or liver yet its role is bigger than each of them. When the heart is affected by heart disease all other organs in the body can be affected.

The heart is an amazing organ. It starts beating before most of the other organs in the fetus begins to form, and it does not stop until the person dies. On average that’s 3.6 million heart beats a year, or 2.5 billion in a life time. It has the ability to keep pumping even when up to 25% of it is damaged. Unfortunately, it cannot heal itself and regenerate like the liver can, but it can compensate for whats damaged, within a certain limit. Its also the organ that has the most medical specialization ranging from the general cardiologist (adult or paediatric) to the nuclear cardiologist, echo-cardiologist, electrophysiologist, interventional cardiologist, and cardiac surgeon to name a few. Yet with all this focus on this one organ, cardiovascular disease remains the number one killer of Jamaicans and persons in the “Western” world.

What can we do to stem this tide?

Preventing heart disease which can lead to heart failure is the responsibility of all of us. There are factors which we can change and others which we can influence but not change. Unchangeable factors include age, inherited disease conditions and sex. Factors which we can influence are risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, poor diet, lack of exercise and environmental factors. Let’s look on a few of these.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is the number one preventable cause of heart disease. Imagine a pump made to push against a load of 5 bricks but has to be constantly pushing against 8. Overtime the strain on the pump is going to take its toll. Same with the heart. Having to pump blood against elevated pressures overtime damages the heart and like the pump, will one day fail. The only reprieve the pump has is to lessen the load before it breaks. Lowering elevated blood pressure can prevent the heart from failing. Lowering blood pressure involves adapting a low salt diet, doing regular exercise and taking your blood pressure medications every day. Sure, garlic may help, a little, but the most effective therapy is taking your blood pressure medication every day.

Diet and exercise are key elements for good heart health. A diet low in salt helps to maintain a normal blood pressure. But for a heart healthy diet one must also increase their vegetable and fruit content while lowering the consumption of processed meats (eg sausage). Having a handful of nuts a day and lowering the consumption of processed carbohydrates like muffins and pancakes, are also heart healthy. Replace these processed carbohydrates with high ber natural starches such as banana, sweet potato and breadfruit. Excessive alcohol consumption can weaken the heart and make one more prone to developing irregular heart rhythm (presents as palpitations) such as atrial brillation. Hand in hand with a good diet is a good exercise regime. One does not have to go to a gym to exercise, although it may help, but 30 minutes of any exercise, even in the confines of your bedroom trains your heart to be healthier and function better.

Diabetes or “Sugar” is the condition when there is too much sugar in your blood because the body cannot get it into the cells where it is used as fuel. This elevated sugar can damage the heart muscles weakening it as well as contribute to the blockage of the blood vessels supplying the heart. Another

factor that contributes to the blocking of blood vessels is elevated cholesterol. Cholesterol is a form of fat that we obtain both from diet and is made in the liver. Cholesterol is the basis of many hormones our body produces such as estrogen and testosterone. When the body has too much cholesterol, the excess gets ‘dumped’ into blood vessels such as those of the heart causing blockages. This is known as coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD is the basis of people developing chest pain called angina and having a heart attack. Diet and exercise helps to lower sugar and cholesterol levels but essential to controlling these factors and maintain a healthy heart is the taking of the appropriate medications as prescribed by your doctor daily.

Did you know that air pollution is now a risk factor for heart disease?

If risk factors like hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol are not controlled, one is at a high risk of developing heart failure. Heart failure is when the heart gets so damaged that it is unable to function properly in pumping the blood that your body needs. Patients develop symptoms like “blowing short”, developing leg swelling, inability to carry out daily activities, tiring easily, palpitations and inability to lie at. Heart failure is a leading cause of death and requires constant therapy. These therapies can be costly as they are necessary to bring about some level of recovery. Prevention is always better than cure. Taking your medications and adopting a healthy lifestyle can prevent one from developing heart failure.

We all should check our blood pressure frequently, at least once a month, more if you are getting readings that appear to be elevated. Blood sugar should be tested at least twice a year to screen if you have diabetes. If you have either of these, frequent monitoring to maintain control and dialogue with your doctor is key. Checking your cholesterol at least once a year along with a low cholesterol diet will help to reduce your risk of developing CAD. If you have two or more of the symptoms of heart failure you should see your doctor or a cardiologist as soon as possible. Early treatment can save lives.

This World Heart Day, let us all strive to keep a healthy heart.