World Heart Day: How to Take Care of Your Heart

Posted On: 2023-09-29 16:10:27

According to British Heart Foundation, there are 620 million people living with some form of heart condition. This means that 1 in 13 people are living with a scarred heart. Heart diseases are also responsible for 1 in 3 deaths globally. The most common cardiovascular conditions are coronary (ischaemic) heart disease (global prevalence estimated at 200 million in 2019), peripheral arterial (vascular) disease (110 million), stroke (100 million) and atrial fibrillation (60 million).

 

Looking at the statistics, one thing is clear, heart diseases are not to be taken lightly. To raise awareness about the dangers of heart disease, World Heart Federation celebrates September 29 as World Heart Day. On this day, artwork, panels, and discussions are all centred around heart diseases.

 

Unlike other awareness days, World Heart Day doesn’t have a select theme and instead gives free rein to people to decide on what to talk about. Be it environment, healthcare access, mental health or priority risk factors.

 

In this article, we will look at the signs, treatment and prevention of heart disease.

 

Some of the symptoms of heart disease can include:

 

• Chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure and chest discomfort (angina)
• Shortness of breath
• Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper belly area or back
• Pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in the legs or arms if the blood vessels in those body areas are narrowed
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Increased or Decreased Pulse Rate
• Fatigue
• Pale Gray or Blue Skin

 

It is recommended that upon experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms, one must visit the doctor and get examined.

 

Depending on your condition, a doctor may advise you to undergo:

 

• Stents
•  Angioplasty and Stents
•  Heart Bypass Surgery
•  Valve Disease Treatment
•  Pacemakers
•  Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICD)
•  Lead Extraction
•  Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)
•  Heart Transplant
•  Drug-Eluting Stents

 

Remember, it is very important to heed the advice of your doctor and don’t opt for alternative medications. Don’t discontinue any medication at your own whims.

 

However, preventing heart disease is way better than curing it. So here are some tips on how to dodge heart disease:

 

• Don't smoke or use tobacco
•  Physical exercise at least 30 to 60 minutes daily
• A healthy diet consisting of vegetables and fruits, beans or other legumes, lean meats and fish, low-fat or fat-free dairy foods, whole grains, and healthy fats such as olive oil and avocado.
• Maintaining your body weight
• Get a good quality sleep
• Stress Management
• Regular Heart Screening

 

Filaantro understands the dangers of heart disease and believes that people should have access to its treatment. Along with its crowdfunding platform, Child Help Foundation, Filaantro has saved numerous people from heart diseases.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Please remember to share this article with all your friends and family members to make them aware of the dangers of the disease. Keep checking this space for more such interesting blogs. 

 

AUTHOR: Adil Sayyad