Cardiovascular disease (DVDs), coronary heart disease (CHD) also most commonly known as heart disease refers to all the ailments related to the heart and blood vessels. These are the most common causes of mortality all over the world.
According to a survey performed in the year 2019, 17.9 million people lost their lives to cardiovascular diseases, which was 32% of all deaths globally that year. Moreover, 85% of these deaths happened due to heart attacks and strokes. In a parallel study on heart diseases, it was found that over three-quarters or 75% of all deaths due to cardiovascular diseases take place in low and middle-income countries. Unfortunately, India is one of the low and middle-income countries of the world. Already a quarter of all deaths in India is attributable to CVDs.
However, according to scientists and medical practitioners, most cardiovascular diseases can be staved off by recognizing behavioral threats such as tobacco consumption, unhealthy diet, obesity, physical inactivity and detrimental use of alcohol. Therefore, it is vital to recognize cardiovascular disease as early as feasible so that it can be managed with counselling and medicines.Also, learn about some Biological Discoveries & Scientific Developments and increase your general awareness.
What Are The Types Of Heart Diseases & Their Causes?| The Diagnosis of A Heart Disease
Let’s look at some major heart diseases that are found to be a major threat to the lives of humans across the world.| The Diagnosis of A Heart Disease
Heart Failure –
- When the heart doesn’t pump blood enough to meet the body’s needs.
- The condition usually occurs due to coronary artery disease, thyroid disease, high blood pressure, heart muscle disease etc.
Heart Arrhythmias –The Diagnosis of A Heart Disease
- Heart arrhythmias occur when the heart beats irregularly.
- Severe heart arrhythmias usually develop due to other heart problems but may also happen on their own.
Pericardial Disease –The Diagnosis of A Heart Disease
- Any disease of the pericardium is called a pericardial disease. The most commonly known disease is inflammation of the pericardium also called pericarditis.
- The condition is usually caused by a viral infection, inflammatory diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, or injury to the pericardium.
Heart Valve Disease –The Diagnosis of A Heart Disease
- The human heart has four valves that direct the flow of blood between the heart’s four chambers, the lungs, and blood vessels by opening and closing.
- Any abnormality makes it hard for a valve to open and close in the right manner leading to blockage and leakage.
Congenital Heart Disease – | The Diagnosis of A Heart Disease
- Congenital heart disease occurs during the formative period when the child is in the womb.
- The abnormality sometimes leads to problems right after birth, and other times the problems begin after one attains adulthood.
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) –| The Diagnosis of A Heart Disease
- CAD is considered to be the most common heart problem globally. With CAD, people develop blockages in their coronary arteries. That would lead to a decrease in the flow of blood to your heart muscle, keeping it from getting the oxygen it needs.
- The disease usually starts as a result of a condition sometimes called hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis.
Cardiomyopathy (Heart Muscle Disease) –
- Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the muscles of the heart or the myocardium.
- Problems occur when it gets stretched, thickened, or stiff. The heart sometimes becomes too weak to pump well.| The Diagnosis of A Heart Disease
What Are The Common Causes Of Heart Diseases?
In today’s day and age, various factors result in cardiovascular diseases in humans. The factors are sometimes due to improper lifestyle, living conditions and other times it is genetic. Let’s find out the common reasons behind cardiovascular diseases.| The Diagnosis of A Heart Disease
- Leaky heart valves
- The irregular rhythm of the heartbeat.
- Genetic abnormalities related to the heart.
- Any kind of injury to a part or all the parts of the heart.
- Abnormalities related to the blood vessels leading to or from the heart.
- Insufficient and unstable supply of oxygen and nutrients to the heart.
Let’s look at some common causes that lead to cardiovascular diseases and that originated from a sedentary lifestyle.| The Diagnosis of A Heart Disease
- Age
- Diabetes
- Sleep apnea
- Dietary mistakes
- Increased cholesterol
- Overweight and obesity
- Heightened blood pressure
- Inadequate physical activities
- Preeclampsia during pregnancy
- Deleterious smoking and alcoholism
Furthermore, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) report, poverty and stress are two key factors that are leading to increased cardiovascular disease cases globally. The Diagnosis of A Heart Disease
How Is The Health Of India’s Heart? |The Diagnosis of A Heart Disease
- Over time cardiovascular diseases have become a leadingcause of mortality in the country.
- In India, cardiovascular diseases account for 45% of deaths in the 40-69 year age group.
- The Global Burden of Disease study states that CVD deaths of 272 per 100000 population in India are higher than the global average of 235 per 100000 population.
- About a third of the elderly citizens in India have been diagnosed with hypertension, 5.2% with chronic heart disease and 2.7% with stroke.
- There was a study done to compare the chances of heart diseases between people belonging to western ancestry and Indian ancestry. It was found that heart disease affects Indians a decade early, which is in the most productive time of midlife than the western people.
- For example, in India, the mean age at which people suffer their first heart attack or myocardial infarction is 53 years, which is about 10 years earlier than any other person in developed countries.
- According to the longitudinal survey on ageing, health, and retirement studies conducted in India in the year 2020, the range of heart diseases in those aged 45-59 years varies from 34% in Chandigarh, 14% J&K, Haryana, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh and 15% in Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
- In the age group of 60+ years, a majority of cardiovascular disease incidents came from states like Goa with 60% cases, Kerala 57%, Chandigarh 5%, Jammu and Kashmir 51% while the prevalence was low in Nagaland 16% Chhattisgarh 21% and Uttar Pradesh 22%.
- Various studies conducted both in India and abroad have shown that CVDs are the prime threat to women’s health as more women than men die annually due to heart diseases.
- On the contrary, as per the longitudinal survey on ageing, health, and retirement (LASI) report, cardiovascular disease among men was higher in Kerala with 45%, Goa 44%, Andaman and Nicobar 41% and lower in Chhattisgarh 15%, Meghalaya 16%, Nagaland 17%.
- In states such as Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Jharkhand, and Tamil Nadu the male and female distribution was equal. Whereas, in Meghalaya, the prevalence among women was greater than men.
What Are The Common Heart Diseases Found Amongst Indians? |The Diagnosis of A Heart Disease
- In India, the annual stroke rate is higher relative to other demographics. Moreover, the rates are especially higher among women.
- Hypertensive heart disease is a significant problem in India. Cases of hypertension in Indians is estimated to be 34% in urban areas and 28% in rural areas.
- According to study matter experts, the number of individuals with hypertension is expected to double by 2025.
- Hemorrhagic strokes are more common in India than in the western population.
- In several parts of India, rheumatic heart disease also continues to be a problem.
- However, the mortality cases due to cardiovascular diseases like atrial fibrillation, heart failure, aortic aneurysms, peripheral vascular disease, endocarditis, cardiomyopathies in India is relatively lesser than in western countries.
What Are The Common Reasons Behind CVD Case Amongst Indians?
- Common threats such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus dyslipidemia, smoking, obesity are believed to be linked with raised heart disease cases amongst Indians.
- In addition to the above common risk factors, physical inactivity, low fruits vegetable intake and psychosocial stress are also some major causes of acute myocardial infarctions (AMIs) in Indians.
- Tobacco consumption is the solitary and the largest risk factor leading to CVDs.
- Indians usually are found to consume high carbohydrate diets with uneven dietary patterns daily leading to poor heart health. | The Diagnosis of A Heart Disease
- According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, every second person in India is physically sedentary, and only less than 10% of the studied civilization was involved in doing regular physical workouts.
- Other risk factors that are thought to be correlated with the high cases of heart disease in India are high air pollution, fluctuations in temperatures, psychosocial factors, mental health and elevated high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), homocysteine levels.
How Can We Protect Ourselves From CVDs Through Prevention?
There are some things we can’t do to stay away from cardiovascular diseases but there are certain things we can do and we must do. Let’s first see some factors that lead to CVDs that we can’t do anything about and later we will see some ways we can save ourselves from this prime threat to our lives.
Can’t Be Controlled| The Diagnosis of A Heart Disease
- The age and gender – It is said that men aged 45 or more and women aged 55 and older have a greater risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
- The family’s history – There is a greater riskhavingvina heart disease if there is a history of a close family member who had heart disease at an early ageRacece or ethnicity – Americans are more likely to have heart disease than whites, while Hispanic Americans are less likely to suffer from CVDs. Some Asian groups, such as East Asians, have lower rates, however, South Asians have higher rates.
Can Be Controlled| The Diagnosis of A Heart Disease | The Diagnosis of A Heart Disease
- Indulge in eating a healthy diet at all times. Make sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Don’t miss out on regular exercises, they strengthen your heart and improve blood circulation.
- Always stay at a healthy weight as controlling weight can significantly lower the risks of cardiovascular diseases.
- Try to limit saturated fats, foods high in sodium, and added sugars.
- Keep the cholesterol and triglyceride levels under control.
- Do not have more than two alcoholic drinks per day, limit alcohol.
- Cigarette smoking is a major health risk as it causes heart attack and stroke. Therefore, one must quit smoking.
- Easier said than done but one has to handle the stress as it is linked to heart disease in many ways.
- Test yourself for Diabetes, if you are diagnosed with it, quite a sedentary life to cope with diabetes.
- Make it a point to get enough sleep. Otherwise, there will be increased chances of a heart attack. In adulthood, one needs 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night.
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