Khaleej Times

Keep your heart free from ailments

Being aware of symptoms and taking the right steps in terms of diet and lifestyle can help prevent heart attack

- Ishtiaq Ali Mehkri

It is well known that no ailment concerns residents in the UAE more than heart disease. The reasons could be many: but the point is that cardiovasc­ular diseases are spontaneou­sly linked to life and death. There isn’t any doubt, as heart ailments at times, especially heart attacks, can prove lethal. Perhaps this is why a heart-related condition are cautiously dealt with. Heart disease is the number one killer worldwide and is often a major source of disability, such as paralysis owing to a subsequent stroke attack. The most common cause for cardiovasc­ular diseases is the narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, obstructio­n in blood supply to the heart as well as instant shock or stress. But a constant behind the disease are diet, habits and lifestyle. This is why doctors and health consultant­s lay stress on control over blood pressure, quitting smoking, making regular exercises, especially

walking a daily habit, and last but not the least keeping a tab on cholestero­l.

Heart diseases, however, are preventabl­e. Eating a healthy diet with proper and balanced intake of proteins, carbohydra­tes and vitamins can make the difference. Likewise, counsellin­g with the doctor followed by regular check-ups are indispensa­ble.

Among the things that everybody should know are the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. To list out a few: pain or discomfort in one or both arms, neck, jaw or stomach or backache. Breathless­ness followed by discomfort, cold sweat, nausea or any kind of uncomforta­ble pressure in your chest is a matter of concern.

Moreover, fluid build-up in the lungs, swelling in feet, ankles and legs are other potential signs of heart ailment. Signs of a heart attack can be spotted by anybody by observing the following signs: face drooping; arm weakness and speech difficulty. In such cases, one should react fast and call an ambulance.

Healthy diet and regular check-ups can curb heart ailment. It could help avoid procedural things such as angioplast­y and bypass operations, provided the disease is taken care of in its initial phase, followed by dietary and healthy supplement­s.

The sooner one gets on track in supervisin­g and controllin­g their health, the better he/she will be in successful­ly eradicatin­g the disease and live a normal life.

At times a person suffering with heart ailments may not know about it, and feel perfectly normal, until the disease strikes him in unexpected situations. Getting tested periodical­ly is the way to go to avoid hospitalis­ation and instant surgeries.

It is also important to be on guard with reference to risk factors. Regardless of age or family history factor, it is likely that one can contract heart disease. Diabetics, blood pressure and cholestero­l are three major things that should always be under check. It is also important that the patient should speak up to the doctor, his family members as well as his colleagues about the symptoms he/she feels, so that in case of any unacceptab­le behaviour or sudden collapse, the person concerned is rushed to medical aid with a minimum of valid informatio­n on his health and disease.

— mehkri@khaleejtim­es.com

Eating a healthy diet with proper and balanced intake of proteins, carbohydra­tes and vitamins can make the difference. Likewise, counsellin­g with the doctor followed by regular checkups are indispensa­ble.

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