7 Common FAQ’s About Cardiac Diseases
Cardiac diseases or Cardiovascular diseases are a set of disorders which affect the functioning of the human heart. They are one of the most prevalent diseases in the world. In India, cardiac diseases cause an estimated 2.8 million deaths per year making them the biggest cause of death.
The common cardiac diseases are heart attack, coronary artery disease, stroke and more. Most people have many questions about these diseases due to their complicated nature. Here are 7 frequently asked questions about cardiovascular diseases.
How are Smoking and Cardiac Diseases Linked?
Smoking is harmful to the body in many ways but if you are suffering from a cardiac disease it can be really dangerous. Cigarettes contain nicotine which has many harmful effects on the body. Some of these are:
Reducing oxygen supply to the heart
Increasing blood pressure
Increasing the possibility of clot formation
Damaging cells present in the coronary arteries
Smoking has also been linked with causing cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and increasing the risk of hypertension.
If you are a smoker and are suffering from a cardiac disease, you should immediately move towards quitting it. Studies report that smoking is linked to 30% of the cardiac diseases based on deaths in the United States. It is a big no for people suffering from a heart condition.
Which Factors Increase the Risk of Cardiac Diseases?
There are studies which show that some people are more likely to suffer from cardiac diseases rather than others. These risk factors are a combination of disease conditions and lifestyle choices. The following factors increase the risk of cardiac diseases:
Improper diet
Lack of Physical Activity
If you suffer from the above-mentioned conditions then you are at higher risk of suffering from cardiac diseases. Ensure that you are aware of the activities that can be done to manage your disease conditions so that the risk of getting cardiovascular diseases can be lowered.
What kind of diet should be followed?
Diet plays a very important role in managing cardiac diseases. There are specific dietary changes that have to be made to ensure that the condition does not get worse. The following tips can be helpful:
Increase vegetable content in your diet.
Credits: Pexels
Caption: Your diet must contain vegetables.
Alt Text: A pile of vegetables
Consume lean proteins.
Eat complex carbohydrates, especially whole grains.
Reduce fat and trans fat intake.
Decrease the amount of salt you take.
Avoid high cholesterol food items.
Dietary changes are part of the treatment for cardiac diseases and have to be followed. An improper diet significantly increases the damage that cardiac diseases can cause.
What are the Symptoms of Cardiac Diseases?
There are some common symptoms which can be observed in patients suffering from heart disease. Not all of these symptoms need to be observed in each patient.
Chest pain
Difficulty in Breathing
Increased heart rate
Feeling dizzy
Lightheadedness
Slow heartbeat
Loss of appetite
Restlessness
Abnormal sleep patterns
Most cardiovascular diseases require immediate treatment. If you are suffering from any of these symptoms then you should seek immediate medical help.
Can Cardiac Diseases be Hereditary?
Cardiac diseases are not exactly hereditary but having a family history increases the risk of heart conditions. This situation arises because there is no conclusive evidence on what causes heart disease. Expats believe that genetic factors do play a role in it.
If you have a family history of cardiac diseases then you are more likely to develop them but it does not mean that you will get it.
A doctor will ask you about your family history of cardiac diseases. If anyone in your family has had cardiac conditions then you should get tested and ensure that you maintain a healthy lifestyle to avoid them.
Credits: Pexels
Caption: A family history of cardiac disease increases your chance of suffering from it.
Alt text: A mother and child walking.
How Does Weight Affect Cardiac Diseases?
Weight plays a vital role in your overall health. If you are overweight then you are at a much higher risk of developing cardiac conditions. In case you are already suffering from cardiac disease than being overweight is even riskier.
Being overweight decreases high-density lipid content in the body which is now recognised as a contributing factor to heart diseases. It also puts increased pressure on your cardiovascular system which can lead to severe complications.
Maintaining an ideal weight is very important and you should focus on achieving that goal.
Can Cardiac Diseases Be Left Untreated?
The answer is No. Cardiac diseases are the leading cause of death in the world. If you leave them untreated then they can develop severe complications and result in fatalities.
If you have a cardiac disorder then you should seek medical help. There are treatment options available from which doctors can choose the best treatment for you.
Treatment is necessary.
Credits: Pexels
Caption: Cardiac disorders require medical intervention.
Alt Text: Different types of pills.
Takeaway
Cardiac diseases require you to live in a healthy lifestyle. Some activities can be very harmful and have to be avoided. The number of individuals suffering from cardiac disease in India is increasing rapidly. An unhealthy lifestyle is a factor which contributes to this.
Be aware of cardiac diseases and what you can do to maintain your cardiac health.
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