Dr Ramji Mehrotra: - Tips for a Healthy Heart

by dr ramji Mehrotra dr ramji mehrotra cardiac surgeon

The heart is the most important muscle in the human body as it pumps blood and oxygen to all organs. Heart disease is a major cause of death in people across the world. Hence, everyone needs to be aware of heart disease, the common symptoms to watch out for, and the necessary precautions to avoid it.

Common Types of Heart Disease

Dr Ramji Mehrotra state that, the most common type of heart disease is coronary heart disease or coronary artery disease. In this, arteries become clogged with plaque. As arteries supply blood to the heart, the blood supply reduces, causing the heart to receive less oxygen and nutrients. This causes the risk of heart failure.

Congenital heart defects are those that are present from birth. Some of the common congenital heart defects are abnormal heart valves, septal defects, or atresia.

Arrhythmia pertains to an irregular heartbeat. In this, the heart beats erratically because the electric impulses coordinating the heartbeat don’t work properly. Arrhythmia includes among others, tachycardia or rapid heartbeat, bradycardia or slow heartbeat, and atrial fibrillation or irregular heartbeat.

Symptoms of Heart Disease

Some of the common problems that could indicate heart disease include:

· Chest pain or discomfort

· Dizziness

· Breathlessness

· Pain in the arms, legs, or back

· Sweating

· Loud Snoring

· Heart palpitations, etc.

People who are obese or suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are at greater risk for heart attacks and should get a regular medical check-up done.

Maintaining Heart Health

According to Dr Ramji Mehrotra, who is a well-known cardiac surgeon, it is essential to have a healthy lifestyle and take adequate precautions to maintain a healthy heart. Some of the important tips to take care of the heart are:

· Avoid smoking: Smoking is extremely bad for the heart and is a major cause of coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease. Avoiding smoking and tobacco makes a great difference to not only the heart but also to overall health too.

· Avoid sedentary lifestyle: Sedentary lifestyle often leads to overweight, which causes several health risks. Excess weight around the waistline is specifically dangerous to heart health. Being physically active will reduce the risk of heart disease.

· Exercise regularly: Regular exercise not only helps in weight reduction and maintaining good health but also positively influences the heart rate variability, which is an indicator of heart health.

· Reduce saturated fat consumption: Foods with high saturated fats increase the level of cholesterol in the blood and, consequently, raise the risk of heart disease. It is advisable to consume foods like vegetables, nuts, and fish with omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol. Studies have shown that this can reduce the risk of dying from heart disease by more than one-third.

· Reduce salt in the diet: Reducing salt intake is essential to maintain the right blood pressure and significantly reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. For good health, the average adult should consume less than 6 grams of salt or about a teaspoon per day.

· Reduce alcohol intake: Drinking alcohol excessively impacts weight, which can cause health issues and risk to the well being of the heart.

· Sleep adequately: Getting good sleep and adequate rest is very essential for the human body. Sleep lowers blood pressure and heart rate. Sleep-deprived people are at a greater risk of cardiovascular disease. Hence, getting proper sleep is not a luxury but a necessity.

Conclusion

Considering the criticality of the heart functioning in the human body, taking proper care of the heart is vital for overall well being. Though heart disease is a leading cause of mortality, adopting a healthy lifestyle can prevent it to a great extent.