Matters of the Heart

The heart is a vital organ within the human body. It controls the circulation and distribution of blood and oxygen to the body. It also serves as a conduit of expression. When the heart speaks, it expresses love, hate, hurt, tension, and more. However, with all that pours out of it, the heart also receives those things that affect it, putting it under constant attack. Therefore, guard your heart, for it is valuable and the source of everything you do because life ends when it shuts down or seizes to work.

1. Hypertension, The Silent Killer.

Hypertension, or High Blood Pressure (HBP), is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease worldwide. Normal blood pressure has a systolic (upper number) reading between 90-120 and a diastolic (lower number) between 60-80. High blood pressure is any systolic reading above 140 and diastolic reading above 100. 

Because of its lack of early presentation, HBP in an individual can go unnoticed for an extended period, hence the name “The Silent Killer.” About 80 million adults in Sub-Saharan Africa had hypertension in 2000, and epidemiological data suggest this figure will rise to 150 million by 2025. According to the CDC, “Tens of millions of adults in The United States have high blood pressure, and many do not have it under control.” The condition is linked to an increase in tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption reduced physical activity, diets that are high in salt, refined sugar, and unhealthy fats and oils, thus increasing the risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death for Americans. 

At its worst or if left untreated, hypertension can cause severe damage such as blurry vision, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and heart failure. Due to a lack of early presentation, controlling the hypertension epidemic lies in early detection and adequate control.  So how can we address the hypertensive crisis? Population or community screening events with activities such as blood pressure screenings, blood glucose monitoring, nutrition demonstrations on recipes based on a low-carbohydrate-high-healthy-fat diet (the rural diet), and home Exercise can increase awareness and education on how to combat the condition. Weight loss and control of sodium intake are also crucial to maintaining normal blood pressure.

2. Stroke

Our movements, memories, thoughts, emotions, and language, including our digestion and how we breathe, are controlled by our brains. Oxygen is a critical component of the brain’s proper functionality. Oxygen to all body organs is delivered via the arteries. When blood flow to the brain is obstructed or blocked, brain cells die within minutes because of a lack of oxygen, and this causes a stroke.

According to the CDC, “a stroke, or brain attack, occurs when something blocks blood supply to part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. In either case, parts of the brain become damaged or dies” The impact of stroke on the body can be a lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or even death. Transient ischemic attack (TIA) “mini stroke” is short lived. A TIA last for not more than 5 minutes of lack of blood flow to the brain, making it different from other major types of strokes. TIAs are sometimes known as “warning strokes.” It is important to know that:

1. TIA is a warning sign of a future stroke.
2. TIA is a medical emergency, just like a major stroke and should be treated immediately.
3. Strokes and TIAs require emergency care. Call 9-1-1 right away if you feel signs of a stroke or see symptoms in someone around you.
4. Initially, there is no way to know whether symptoms are from a TIA or a significant type of stroke.
5. Like ischemic strokes, blood clots often cause TIAs.
6. More than a third of people who have a TIA and don’t get treatment to have a major stroke within 1 year.
7. As many as 10% to 15% of people will have a major stroke within 3 months of a TIA.

Signs of a Stroke or Tia in Men and Women

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination.
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

How Can We Prevent Stroke:

• Eat and drink Healthy.
• Keep a healthy weight.
• Get regular physical activity.
• Don’t smoke.
• Limit alcohol.
• Check cholesterol.
• Control blood pressure.
• Control diabetes.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

The most common type of heart disease in the United States is coronary artery disease (CAD). The name is sometimes interchangeable with coronary heart disease or ischemic heart disease. It is caused by the build-up of plaque (deposits of cholesterol and other substances) in the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart (coronary arteries) and other parts of the body. The plaque causes the narrowing of the inside of the arteries, which can lead to blockage over time, leading to atherosclerosis.

Angina, or chest pain and discomfort, is the most common symptom of CAD. Angina occurs because of narrow or blocked arteries, which can lead to chest pain because of the lack of blood flow to the heart muscle and the rest of the body. For some people, the first sign of CAD is a heart attack.

Other Symptoms of a Heart Attack Include:

• Weakness, light-headedness, nausea, or a cold sweat.
• Pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulder.
• Shortness of breath.

Over time, CAD can weaken the heart muscle. This may lead to heart failure, a severe condition where the heart can’t pump blood as it should.

Risks Factors of Coronary Artery Disease?

Being overweight (Obesity), physical inactivity, unhealthy eating, and smoking tobacco are risk factors for CAD.

A family history of heart disease also increases your risk for CAD, especially a family history of having heart disease at an early age (50 or younger).

Preventing Coronary Artery Disease:

Quit smoking—or never start. Smoking is considered one of the critical risk factors for heart attack. Also, steer clear of secondhand smoke.

Eat less of the foods that add to heart problems and more of the foods that protect the heart.

Aim for an eating plan that is low in saturated and trans fats, higher in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats found in olive oil and fish, high in fiber (found in plant foods), and low in salt and sugar.

Become more active and stay active all through life. A good goal is at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of moderate exercise or 75 minutes (1.25 hours) of vigorous aerobic exercise each week. Or aim to be active for 30 minutes a day, most days of the week.

Keep your weight within the normal range on a Body Mass Index (BMI) chart. If you’re overweight, losing just 5 percent to 10 percent of your current weight will lower your risk of developing coronary artery disease.

Find healthy outlets for your stress. Of course, some stress is unavoidable in life. But it tends to push us toward not-so-great habits (overeating, drinking, and sitting too much).

In summary, the heart, a small muscular organ within the human body capable enough of continuously supplying blood and oxygen to other organs, deserves to be cared for. The heart is critical to the functionality of human existence. Heart diseases affect millions around the world daily. Though some situations affecting the heart are inevitable, other conditions can be

managed or controlled by lifestyle changes or adjustments. Hypertension, CAD, and stroke are all conditions that could be managed by lifestyle changes like daily exercise, a diet low in salt and fat, adequate fluid intake, stopping smoking as well as health education.

References:

1. About Stroke | cdc.gov – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/about.htm

2. Stroke Signs and Symptoms | cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/signs_symptoms.htm

3. Coronary Artery Disease | cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/coronary_ad.htm