Heart disease is a common health complaint worldwide and of several types. It can be related to the heartbeats, blood vessels, heart muscle, heart valves, or sometimes, heart disease you’re born with, known as congenital heart defects. Modifying lifestyle choices and medical attention can help prevent heart disease and its complications.
Coronary artery disease is the most common one here caused by blockage or narrowing of the heart arteries due to plaque buildup. It affects the blood supply to the heart. You might consult one of the top cardiologists at a multispecialty hospital in Siliguri or near your location.
Other types of heart disease include:
- Heart valve disease
- Abnormal heart rhythms/arrhythmia
- Congenital heart disease
- Abnormal heart muscle
- Heart failure
- Pericardial disease
If you pick some common signs and symptoms, that include shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, chest tightness, chest pain, a feeling of heaviness in the chest, swelling in the legs, dizziness, fainting, weakness, coldness or numbness felt in the legs or arms, etc.
Let’s talk about the five risk factors for heart disease:
Smoking
Without a shadow of a doubt, smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease. Nicotine is a chemical found in cigarettes/tobacco products highly addictive. Chemicals in cigar smoke cause blood vessels to harden and develop clots inside the arteries and veins. Such chemicals speed up the accumulation of plaque in the arteries, leading to atherosclerosis. See your heart specialist at the leading hospital in Siliguri.
Unhealthy diet
Diet is one of the main elements of keeping your heart healthy. But when your food choices are unhealthy, the risk of heart disease increases. Eating a diet high in cholesterol, saturated fats, trans fats, and sodium accelerates the chance of heart conditions. Limit/avoid processed meats, soda, fried foods, alcohol, cold drinks, red meat, boxed cereals, candy, refined grains, canned soups, sugar, baked goods, etc.
Physical inactivity
Physical inactivity or a sedentary lifestyle contributes to heart disease. And not only heart disease but also type 2 diabetes, high blood cholesterol, obesity, and hormonal imbalance can result from physical inactivity. It can lead to fatty material accumulating in your arteries that carry blood to your organs. Try moderate workouts and walking.
Poor dental health
Yes, your dental health can contribute to heart disease. The spread of bacteria and germs from your mouth to other regions of your body through the bloodstream can affect your heart health. Certain data suggest the same bacteria in the mouth have been seen in blockages/plaques of heart arteries/blood vessels. Untreated gum disease is one of the major risk factors here.
Contributing factors for heart disease, if not taken care of, might lead to cardiovascular concerns and complications. These include heart attack, heart failure, stroke, peripheral artery disease, sudden cardiac arrest, etc. If you have a family history of cardiovascular conditions, consult a general physician or cardiologist. Visit the medical hospital in Siliguri.