Simple questions for your heart

It is just a biological pump, but the heart is so much more complicated than what’s known about it. At the same time, it is so easy to take care of it, if you know how. Dr Venkatesh Kumar, a senior consultant cardiologist at Apollo Heart Centre in Bangalore, answers some vexing questions about the […]

It is just a biological pump, but the heart is so much more complicated than what’s known about it. At the same time, it is so easy to take care of it, if you know how.
Dr Venkatesh Kumar, a senior consultant cardiologist at Apollo Heart Centre in Bangalore, answers some vexing questions about the human heart.
Why are heart diseases a leading cause of death worldwide?
It is because people pay less importance to heart-healthy diet and physical activity. Risk factors like diabetes, increase in cholesterol, obesity snf smoking are increasing in population, which are leading increase prevalence of heart disease.
What is the reason why more Nigerians or Africans are developing chronic heart diseases?
A combination of genetic and environmental factors could contribute to increase prevalence of heart disease in Nigerians or Africans.
Many Nigerian children undergo hole-in-the-heart surgeries. Why is it so common with this age group?
Hole in the heart is a congenital heart defect present from birth. Low birth weight and malnutrition could contribute to the development of such disorders.
Can heart diseases be prevented in children?
Yes it can be prevented, by early recognition, counselling and prompt treatment.
It is still a grave shock to hear that some apparently healthy person gets a cardiac arrest. How does one understand it in perspective?
CAD [coronary artery disease] is a deceptive disease and has a spectrum of presentation. Severe CAD can exist without symptoms and the first presentation may be sudden cardiac death or a serious heart attack. There  is no correlation between the severity of the disease and the symptoms.
How can heart diseases be prevented?
It can be prevented by early recognition and treatment. Identifying individuals with high risk heart disease and undertaking appropriate measures.
To adopt a healthy lifestyle – have a regular physical activity consumption of heart healthy foods, cessation of smoking, correction of obesity and achieving ideal BMI [body mass index]. You can also control risk factors-diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia [abnormally high concentration of fats in the blood].
Are heart diseases hereditary?
Some heart diseases like cardiomyopathies are hereditary, so it is important to undergo a detailed examination in case of heart disease history.
What are the first aid steps to be taken on a heart attack?
When a patient complains of chest discomfort, an urgent ECG [electrocardiogram] might confirm as a heart attack, and if so patient should be rushed to the nearest hospital. There you can get oxygen and pain-relief medication, treatment for arrhythmias and blood pressure.
A 30-to-40-year-old can have heart attacks and serious heart problems. What is the main cause of a steep increase in heart problems among young people?
Unhealthy lifestyles, eating junk foods, lack of physical exercise, obesity, smoking and stress apart from other factors increases the heart problems in the younger generations.