Managing Heart Health: Tackling the 3 major risk factors for heart disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of shortening of lifespan and increasing mortality rates globally. This can be attributed to factors such as underlying genetic predisposition to metabolic deregulation and cardiomyopathy, as well as a recent shift towards consumption of junk foods and leading a sedentary lifestyle. However, identifying major heart disease risk factors, undergoing regular screening and receiving appropriate treatment can significantly prevent or delay heart-related deaths.

At Felix Hospital, one of the best hospitals for heart disease in Noida, we have a team of experienced and best cardiologists in Noida who are expert in diagnosing as well as treating and managing various diseases of the heart.    

Understanding Heart Health & Heart Disease Risk Factors

As we know, the heart is a vital organ that pumps blood and oxygen to every part of the body. It requires proper care to function optimally. Heart diseases, which fall under the umbrella of cardiovascular disease, can take many forms, such as coronary artery disease (CAD), arrhythmias, and heart failure. Addressing risk factors associated with heart diseases early can significantly lower the chances of developing life-threatening conditions.

Here are three major risk factors for heart diseases that can cause complications related to heart health.  

1. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Also referred as silent killer, high blood pressure is a leading contributor to heart disease. It is one of the leading causes of premature deaths worldwide. When an individual has a high blood pressure, the heart has to work harder to pump blood.

Symptoms: High Blood Pressure generally shows no symptoms until heart arteries are significantly damaged. The only way to know if you are hypertensive is to get your blood pressure checked regularly. However, some people may experience symptoms such as severe headaches, dizziness, chest pain, nausea and nosebleed, etc.    

Causes: Some of the known causes of high blood pressure include old age, genetics, obesity, consumption of high salt diet, etc.  

Management: Lifestyle changes like eating a healthier diet, quitting tobacco, reducing stress, and being more active can help lower blood pressure. Besides, it's important to regularly check blood pressure, especially if you are already diagnosed with the condition.  

2. Diabetes: Having diabetes means you are more likely to develop heart disease. In fact, people with diabetes are more likely to develop diabetic heart disease which puts them at risk of having high blood pressure or high cholesterol or high triglycerides, which increases their chances of having a heart attack or a stroke.

Symptoms: In the early stages, heart disease usually doesn't have any symptoms. But if your heart disease worsens, you can have symptoms that might include shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, arrhythmia, chest pain, etc.

Causes: Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes may be caused by a combination of genetic or environmental factors. 
 

Management: If you are diabetic, you may be able to prevent heart disease or keep it from getting worse by controlling your blood sugar levels, take medicines that have been prescribed, lead a healthy lifestyle and follow healthy eating habits. Besides, it's advisable to get regular blood tests and heart tests, if needed.  

3. Obesity: Being overweight or obese is another major risk factor for heart disease. It is often associated with the development of heart failure, coronary heart disease, and sudden cardiac death as carrying too much weight can put extra stress on your heart. 
Obesity causes a spike in triglyceride levels and blood pressure. Besides, it can also lead to diabetes, another risk factor for heart disease. 
 

Symptoms: If you are obese, be watchful for signs of heart failure. These include fatigue, shortness of breath and irregular heartbeat.   
 

Causes: Besides genetics, lack of physical activity, diet and lifestyle and medical reasons contribute to the cause of diabetes.
 

Management: If you are obese, try to lose weight, be it through rigorous exercise, healthy diet or bariatric surgery. Also, keep a regular check on your BMI, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol. Most importantly, be watchful for signs of heart failure, such as fatigue, shortness of breath and irregular heartbeat.

Holistic Heart Health Management

While addressing the above mentioned three major heart disease risk factors is crucial, managing heart health also involves understanding one’s genetic predisposition, managing stress, avoiding smoking, and getting regular health check-ups.

At Felix Hospital, the best hospital for heart disease in Noida, we emphasize on early detection and timely intervention so as to prevent minor issues from escalating into severe problems.

Diagnosis

Various tests are used to diagnose heart disease. These include blood tests such as lipid profile, CRP, CBC, Fasting Glucose, etc. Other than these, your doctor may recommend several other non-invasive tests such as ECG, Echo, TMT, Exercise Stress Test, Holter Monitor, Peripheral Doppler, etc.  

Treatment

Heart disease treatment depends on the cause and type of heart disease. However, some of the common treatments for heart disease may include:

• Lifestyle changes: This includes adopting healthier choices such as eating healthy, consuming a low salt diet, not smoking, getting more exercise, etc. Also, find ways to manage stress and get some good sleep. 

• Medicines: It’s important to take your routine medicines on time, without missing a single dose.
   
• Regular tests: Get your regular blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and diabetes checked.
   
• Keep a healthy weight: Being overweight increases the risk of cardiac events.  
   
• Heart procedure or a surgery: Some people with heart disease may need a heart procedure or surgery. The type of treatment depends on the type of heart disease and how much damage has happened to the heart.  
   

Heart disease treatment cost at Felix Hospital in Noida is affordable as compared to other hospitals in the NCR region. We offer advanced and minimally invasive treatments for heart diseases.

Our team of best cardiologists in Noida are experts at providing personalized treatment for heart diseases such as Coronary artery disease, Arrhythmia, Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Myocardial Infarction, Heart Failure, Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Mitral valve prolapse, Congenital Heart Defects, and Aortic Stenosis, etc.

We provide some common types of heart disease surgery. These include: 

• Coronary artery bypass surgery: It is the most common surgery where a surgeon uses a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body to repair a blocked one.
   
• Coronary angiography: This is a procedure that widens narrow or blocked coronary arteries. It is often combined with the insertion of a stent, a wire-mesh tube that allows easier blood flow.
   
• Valve replacement/repair: A surgeon replaces or repairs a valve that is not functioning correctly.
   
• Repair surgery: A surgeon repairs congenital heart defects, aneurysms, and other problems.
   
• Device implantation: Devices such as pacemakers, balloon catheters, etc., can help regulate the heartbeat and support blood flow.
   
• Laser treatment: Transmyocardial Laser Revascularization helps to treat angina.
   

• Maze surgery: To treat atrial fibrillation, a surgeon creates new paths for electrical signals to pass through.

   

Prevention and Management

Besides addressing heart disease risk factors, heart disease can also be prevented by following a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercise, and seeking advice when the first symptoms of heart disease appear.  

Meet the Best Cardiologists at Felix Hospital, Noida

At Felix Hospital, the best hospital for heart disease in Noida, we provide a spectrum of treatment for various conditions such as heart defects, congenital heart problems, pulmonary heart failure, etc. Our hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, which enables our specialists to offer the best treatments to our patients.

We have a team of specialists that include Dr Rahul Arora, Dr Siddharth Samrat and Dr Virendra Singh who are dedicated to delivering comprehensive care for a broad spectrum of cardiovascular conditions. Our cardiologists have pioneered Coronary Artery Stenting as well as Laser Angioplasty.

Equipped with state-of-the-art Cath Labs, operation theatre, and other heart care technologies, we are one of the best multispeciality hospitals in Noida.f

If you think you have heart disease or are at risk of heart disease because of family history, contact us today!

Conclusion

A healthy lifestyle is the best protection against heart disease and its complications. Therefore, don't delay and adopt a healthy lifestyle to lead a heart-healthy life. Besides, if you are at risk of heart disease, get yourself checked regularly.  

FAQs

Q- Is heart surgery high-risk?
Ans- Like any surgical procedure, heart surgery carries some inherent risks. But that said, advancements in medical technology and the expertise of the medical teams have significantly reduced these risks.

Q- How long do heart surgery patients stay in the hospital?
Ans- The stay at a hospital post heart surgery varies. It depends on the type of surgery and patient’s recovery.

Q- What is the heart disease treatment cost at Felix Hospital?
Ans- The cost of the surgery depends on the type of heart surgery.

Q- How to reduce heart attack risk?
Ans- The best way to reduce heart attack risk is to lead a healthy lifestyle, address risk factors such as High BP and diabetes, exercise regularly, and most importantly get yourself checked often.

Q- What are the risk factors for heart failure?
Ans- Besides genetic predisposition, unhealthy lifestyle habits that include unhealthy diet, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, heavy consumption of alcohol, etc., increase your risk of heart failure.

Q- What is the biggest risk for heart disease?
Ans- Smoking is one of the strongest risk factors for heart disease.