In India, cardiovascular diseases affect around 3 million lives annually. However, it comes into collective awareness only when a known personality dies early. Such news makes us pause and reflect on our lifestyle. Cardiovascular diseases are mainly a result of high cholesterol levels, smoking, and lack of exercise. Hence everyone must take care of their health and follow a healthy lifestyle to avoid heart diseases.
Understanding Cardiovascular Diseases
Cardiovascular diseases are a range of heart or blood vessel conditions. Some types of cardiovascular diseases are blood vessel diseases, such as coronary artery disease, Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), and heart problems you're born with (congenital heart defects). Treatment of cardiovascular diseases happens with the help of medicines, surgery, and lifestyle changes. Early diagnosis and treatment can save you from serious health issues. Book an appointment at our Cardiovascular Disease Treatment Hospital in Delhi for the best treatment.
Common Cardiovascular Diseases
Some common cardiovascular diseases prevalent in India are:
-
Coronary Artery Disease
An ailment in which the arteries and veins of the heart become narrowed or blocked, leading to chest pain and other symptoms. Common risk factors for coronary artery disease include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, smoking, and family history.
-
Arrhythmias
A type of irregular heartbeat that may result from stress, caffeine, alcohol, and drugs. Arrhythmias can lead to stroke or heart failure if not treated promptly.
-
Congenital Heart Defects
Congenital disabilities occur when the heart doesn't form correctly in the womb, resulting in several health problems.
-
Cardiomyopathy
A heart muscle disease makes it hard for the heart to pump blood. Heart muscle conditions can be a genetic disorder or a result of an underlying cause. Cardiomyopathy can lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and heart rhythm issues.
-
Heart Valve Disease
It occurs when the heart's valves become damaged, which may be due to congenital disabilities or rheumatic fever, or bacterial endocarditis. Heart valve disease may cause heart failure and other serious health problems.
Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases
Treating cardiovascular diseases involves several therapies, including medications, surgery, and lifestyle changes. Some of them are:
-
Medications
Cardiologists use medications as per patients' conditions. These may include statins, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and ARBs. Statins lower cholesterol levels and help prevent plaque buildup in the arteries. Beta-blockers are another medication that lowers blood pressure and decreases heart rate by blocking adrenaline receptors in the body. ACE inhibitors and ARBs are also commonly prescribed to treat high blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels while reducing sodium retention.
-
Surgical Procedures
Surgical procedures to treat heart diseases include coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or angioplasty with stents. CABG treats blocked arteries due to plaque buildup to restore blood flow into the heart muscle through another artery found elsewhere on the body, such as from within an arm vein or leg artery, depending on which one needs more attention this time. In contrast, angioplasty with stents involves inserting a metal wire mesh tube into an artery so it can remain open immediately without requiring any stitches afterward either. Consult with our Cardiovascular Surgeon in Delhi to have clarity on the surgical procedures.
-
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes play a vital role in treating cardiovascular conditions. Take control of your heart health by making simple lifestyle changes, like:
-
Quit smoking
-
Avoid excess alcohol consumption.
-
Eat a balanced diet that is low in salt and saturated fat.
-
Avoid junk food.
-
Thirty minutes of moderate daily exercise.
-
Maintaining a healthy body mass index.
-
Meditation and an environment that keeps you away from stress.
-
Monitor and maintain optimal blood pressure.
-
Monitor and maintain optimal cholesterol levels.
-
Make a healthy sleep routine and aim for 7 to 9 hours of regular sleep.
-
Seek Advice
Seek immediate help from the best cardiologist in Delhi if you experience symptoms like:
-
Shortness of breath
-
Persistent weakness
-
Chronic chest pain
-
Palpitations (or heart flutters)
The bottom line is that cardiovascular diseases are severe and can be fatal. If you or someone you know is showing signs of cardiac problems, getting the proper treatment as soon as possible is essential.
A timely consultation may help you get the proper treatment for Cardiovascular Diseases. Adults should go for annual tests, especially if they have a family history of heart disease or other risk factors. Book a consultation with our best cardiologist in Delhi at Manipal Hospitals today and discuss all your concerns related to heart health.
Chief Of Clinical Services, Head Of Cardiac Sciences, and Chief Cardio Vascular Surgeon
Manipal Hospitals, Delhi