Category: <span>Heart Attack</span>

The Impact of Smoking on Heart Health

Smoking is a habit that millions of people around the world struggle with. While the detrimental effects of smoking on lung health are widely known, its impact on heart health is equally concerning. In fact, smoking is a leading cause of preventable heart disease and contributes to a range of cardiovascular problems. In this article, we will explore the specific ways in which smoking affects the heart and discuss the importance of breaking free from this harmful habit.

  1. Increased Risk of Heart Disease: Smoking damages the lining of the arteries, leading to the buildup of fatty deposits called plaque. This process, known as atherosclerosis, narrows the arteries and restricts blood flow to the heart. Consequently, smokers are at a significantly higher risk of developing coronary artery disease, angina (chest pain), heart attacks, and strokes.
  2. Higher Blood Pressure: The chemicals in tobacco smoke can cause an immediate increase in blood pressure. Over time, this sustained elevation can damage the arteries and weaken the heart muscle. Smokers are more likely to develop hypertension (high blood pressure), which further contributes to the risk of heart disease.
  3. Reduced Oxygen Supply: Smoking decreases the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood by binding to hemoglobin, the protein responsible for carrying oxygen. This means that the heart and other vital organs receive less oxygen, putting additional strain on the cardiovascular system.
  4. Abnormal Heart Rhythms: Smoking disrupts the normal electrical activity of the heart, leading to irregular heart rhythms or arrhythmias. These irregularities can range from palpitations to potentially life-threatening conditions such as atrial fibrillation.
  5. Increased Blood Clotting: Smoking promotes the formation of blood clots, which can block blood vessels and cause heart attacks or strokes. The clotting factors in the blood are altered by the toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke, making smokers more prone to dangerous clot formation.

Breaking Free from the Habit:

  1. Seek Support: Quitting smoking can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Reach out to your healthcare provider, join support groups, or enlist the support of friends and family to help you on your journey to quit smoking.
  2. Set a Quit Date: Choose a specific date to quit smoking and mentally prepare yourself for the change. Discard all smoking paraphernalia, such as cigarettes and lighters, and commit to a smoke-free lifestyle.
  3. Nicotine Replacement Therapy: Consider using nicotine replacement products, such as nicotine gum, patches, or lozenges, to help manage withdrawal symptoms and gradually reduce nicotine dependence.
  4. Behavioral Therapy: Explore behavioral therapy techniques, including counseling and cognitive-behavioral therapy, to address the psychological and emotional aspects of smoking addiction. These strategies can help identify triggers and develop coping mechanisms.
  5. Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Adopt a healthy lifestyle to support your journey toward quitting smoking. Engage in regular physical activity, eat a balanced diet, and manage stress through activities like meditation or yoga.
  6. Stay Persistent: Quitting smoking may involve setbacks and challenges. Stay persistent and resilient, remembering the long-term benefits of a smoke-free life. Celebrate small victories and seek professional help if needed.

Remember, quitting smoking is one of the most impactful steps you can take to improve your heart health and overall well-being. Breaking free from this harmful habit not only reduces your risk of heart disease but also enhances your quality of life. Make the decision today to prioritize your heart and embrace a smoke-free future. Your heart will thank you.

Useful Tips to Help Improve Atrial Fibrillation

A blog about heart health, heart disease and its prevention.

If you have atrial fibrillation, it’s important to work with your doctor to develop a plan of care. And while you should always follow the advice of your doctor, these tips might help you take charge of your health and take it one step beyond what is advised. Check them out if you want to give your heart a little love.

Eat a healthy diet, exercise and stay a healthy weight.

Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans. Limit saturated fats and trans fats. Trim the fat from meats. Don’t use butter or margarine. Cut back on sugar-sweetened drinks. Eat less salt (sodium). Choose low-fat dairy products.

Always remember that diet and exercise are two of the most important factors in preventing heart disease. Healthy eating helps lower cholesterol levels, which can help prevent heart disease. Exercise strengthens your heart and lungs, which improves blood flow and makes it easier for the heart to pump blood through the body.

You can also prevent heart disease by avoiding tobacco smoke, lowering stress levels and improving your sleep.

Monitor your blood pressure.

Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against your blood vessels as it flows through your body. High blood pressure (hypertension) is when you have higher than normal blood pressure readings over time. Your doctor may have told you that you have high blood pressure if your systolic (top number) reading is 140 or greater and/or your diastolic (bottom number) reading is 90 or greater.

A healthy blood pressure range is less than 120/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury). Normal blood pressure ranges from 120/80 mm Hg up to 139/89 mm Hg. If you have had high blood pressure for some time, it may be more difficult to lower it than if you have never had high blood pressure before.

Stop smoking or using tobacco products.

Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease. It increases your risk of heart attack and stroke, and it can cause other serious health problems like cancer and lung disease.

If you smoke or use tobacco products, talk to your doctor about ways to quit. Quitting is never easy, but the sooner you quit, the better for your health.

To help you quit, ask your doctor about programs that can help — such as counseling or medication — or join a support group.

Talk to your doctor about any symptoms.

Symptoms of heart disease vary by condition and severity, but they may include shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, fatigue and weakness, and feeling lightheaded or passing out.

Talk to your doctor about any symptoms that seem unusual or new. Early diagnosis can help prevent serious complications or death.

Heart disease is complicated but it is helpful to have accurate information about it.

6 Things You Can Do To Improve Your Heart Health

A blog around heart health along with other health areas.

Did you know, 1 in 4 deaths in the United States are due to heart disease? That’s approximately 600,000 people each year. While heart disease isn’t the only reason for hospitalization (cancer being the leading cause), we can help you prevent it from occurring by making a few changes in our daily routines, diet, and medication.

One of the most important things we can do to maintain our heart health, is start with a healthy diet. However, it’s not the only thing that counts. To help you stay on top of your heart health, listed below are six easy to incorporate practices that will improve your overall heart health:

It has always been my ambition to become fit and healthy. We all want to live a long life without getting sick or falling ill due to any of the common diseases. So please follow these 6 things below:

Here are 6 things you can do to improve your heart health:

1. Get your blood pressure checked regularly

2. Quit smoking

3. Eat more fruits and vegetables

4. Exercise regularly

5. Manage stress better

6. Don’t drink too much alcohol

Benefits of Healthy Heart

A healthy heart is more than just a nice thing to have. It’s essential for living a long and fulfilling life. Here are some of the benefits of a healthy heart:

  • Improved circulation: A healthy heart increases blood flow to all parts of the body, including your brain, which helps you think clearly.
  • Reduced risk of diseases: Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Having a healthy heart can reduce your risk of developing diseases like hypertension and diabetes, which can lead to other complications throughout your body.
  • Increased energy levels: If you’re not getting enough oxygen because your heart isn’t functioning properly, it can leave you feeling tired all day long! Having a healthy heart will help keep your energy levels high so that you can enjoy life instead of just getting through it!

Following a healthy diet, getting regular exercise and trying to maintain the right weight are all proven ways of reducing risk. But don’t forget that your heart also needs regular exercise.

Check with Dr. Ritwick Raj Bhuyan before starting any new exercise regime or increasing the intensity of your current one, to make sure it’s appropriate for you. Don’t forget not to skip breakfast and make sure you drink plenty of water daily. If you live with a family history of heart disease try to adopt these habits from a young age and the benefits could be life-changing.

Heart Transplant India

First Successful Heart Transplant in India by Dr. Panangipalli

Dr. Panangipalli Venugopal is the first Indian cardiac surgeon to perform a successful first heart transplant in India in 1994. He performed this miracle on August 3, 1994, at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. Dr. Panangipalli was born in Andhra Pradesh, on 6 July 1942. So on his birthday, we will see how and when this miracle is done in this world.

Dr. Panangipalli Venugopal
Dr. Panangipalli Venugopal Picture

What is a Heart Transplant

A heart transplant is a surgical procedure in which the heart of a deceased organ donor is placed into the chest of a patient with end-stage heart disease. This operation can be performed in adults, children, or infants. Heart transplants are used to treat people who have end-stage heart failure (a condition in which the heart cannot pump blood effectively), severe coronary artery disease (where there are blockages of the arteries that supply blood to the heart), and certain congenital heart defects (birth defects).

The procedure is highly specialized and requires extensive training on both sides—surgeons who perform these operations need to be skilled in cardiac surgery as well as transplantation surgery, while potential recipients need to be carefully screened for suitability.

Why Heart Transplant is Important?

Heart transplant is a life-saving medical procedure that can be critical for individuals who suffer from end-stage heart failure or other serious heart conditions that cannot be treated with other methods. Here are some of the important reasons why heart transplant is important:

  1. Improved Quality of Life: Heart transplant can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with end-stage heart failure. With a new heart, patients can return to many of the activities they enjoyed before their condition worsened, such as exercising, working, and spending time with family and friends.
  2. Increased Life Expectancy: Heart transplant has been shown to significantly increase the life expectancy of individuals with end-stage heart failure. According to the American Heart Association, the five-year survival rate for heart transplant recipients is around 75%.
  3. Alternative to Other Treatments: For some individuals with heart failure, heart transplant may be the only viable treatment option. Other treatments, such as medication, lifestyle changes, or implantable devices like pacemakers or defibrillators, may not be enough to treat the severity of their condition.
  4. Advancements in Medical Technology: Advancements in medical technology and surgical techniques have made heart transplant a safer and more effective treatment option over the years. For example, improvements in immunosuppressant medications have helped reduce the risk of rejection of the transplanted heart.
  5. Importance of Organ Donation: Heart transplant is only possible because of the generosity of organ donors and their families. By becoming an organ donor, individuals can help save the lives of others who are in need of life-saving transplants.

In summary, heart transplant is a critically important medical procedure that can improve the quality of life and increase the life expectancy of individuals with end-stage heart failure or other serious heart conditions. With continued advancements in medical technology and increased awareness about the importance of organ donation, heart transplant will remain an important treatment option for those in need.

First Heart Transplant In India

The first successful human heart transplant in India was performed on December 3, 1967, by Dr. Christiaan Barnard in Cape Town, South Africa. At that time, however, the procedure was still experimental. The patient was a 54-year-old woman who had been suffering from endocarditis. The donor was her brother, who died in a car crash.

The first successful pediatric heart transplant was performed in 1984 by Dr. Bruce Reitz at Stanford University Medical Center; he implanted a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) into a child whose heart had been injured by rheumatic fever.

On August 3, 1994, when Doctors get a donor -a woman in her mid-30s who is declared brain dead, whose relatives are willing to donate her heart – they have a recipient ready in AIIMS, New Delhi. “The donor’s relatives were aware of organ donation, so they were ready. the recipient was a, 45- year-old man Devi Ram,

Devi Ram lived until he died of an unrelated brain hemorrhage after 17 years.

A Beautiful Story

In the year 1995, the heart of a Hindu woman was transplanted and put in the chest of a Muslim woman and a Christian doctor was supposed to carry out this work.

33-year-old Hemalatha Soundararajan was crossing a road near Pallavaram. When a car coming from the front hits them. Hemalatha is brought to the hospital. Where doctors declare her brain dead. Hemalatha’s husband used to work in the railways. He agrees to give Hemlata’s organs to any needy. This matter is conveyed to Dr. Cherian. Hemalatha’s heart could stop working at any time, so Cherian contacts hospitals in Cochin, Trivandrum, and Hyderabad to find a suitable receiver. Eventually, he gets a call from General Hospital, Chennai.

Mamoon Biwi, 38, was a heart patient and needed a heart transplant at the earliest. But Maimoon Biwi, who sold handkerchiefs on the railway platform, did not have much money, nor did she have any access. She was admitted to the hospital only because she could get three meals a day.

Doctor Cherian took all the responsibility for his operation on himself. After this, at 9 o’clock in the evening, the doctor starts the Cherian operation. The night-time was kept because Cherian did not want the matter to come to the notice of the media. Hemalatha was a Brahmin, while Maimoon Biwi was a Muslim, there could have been an uproar over this too. That’s why Doctor Cherian carried out this operation in the night itself and his team took 5 hours in this process. The operation was completed at 2 pm.

This was the first Heart transplant in India surgery performed for the first time in India in a private hospital.

Heart Attacks and Young People…Here’s Why:

A blog about the growing number of heart attacks amongst young people.

It’s no secret that heart attacks have always been an issue for those who are middle aged and above. But what about young people? Are young people having a higher risk of heart attack than ever before? Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death among Indians, and that risk progresses exponentially with obesity. 

It is surprising that so many Indians are unaware of the general prevalence of heart failure in adults, given that it is a leading cause of death worldwide. Although heart failure kills an estimated 20% of Indians with the disease—a total of 1.6 million Indians in 2012. India accounts for one out of five, of all non-communicable diseases related deaths worldwide, and most of these deaths occur among younger populations. 

The World Health Organization revealed that India accounts for 20% of all non-communicable diseases related deaths worldwide and most of these deaths are from the younger population. The Global Burden of Disease study stated that the cardiovascular disease death rate in India is 272 per 100,000 people, which is notably higher than the global average of 235.

There are many factors behind this trend, which makes it hard to pinpoint just one reason why this is happening. Some say heart disease is on the rise because younger people are in worse health than they’ve been in the past due to lifestyle choices such as too much fast food and less activity.

Reasons Why Heart Disease in young people is on the Rise in India

There are many factors that can lead to heart disease. Some of these include:

  1. Smoking or being exposed to smoke at a young age – Smoking increases blood pressure levels which can increase the risk of developing heart problems later on in life.
  2. Poor diet (high fat content) and lack of physical activity – A diet high in fat causes cholesterol levels to rise in the body which can lead to clogged arteries and increased risk of heart attack or stroke.
  3. Lack of proper rest and sleep – Lack of proper rest and sleep can cause a number of problems throughout your body. If you don’t get enough sleep, your immune system will be weakened
  4. Family history of heart problems – A family history of heart problems refers to a person’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease based on their parent(s) or other close relatives’ medical history. Cardiovascular disease includes high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.
  5. Sedentary lifestyle- A lifestyle that involves little physical activity. This can include sitting or lying down for long periods of time, such as during a commute to and from work, or while working at a desk job. A sedentary lifestyle is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and even death.
  6. Stress – Stress can trigger chemical changes in the body that increase adrenaline levels which can speed up your heart rate and make it harder for your arteries to relax thereby increasing your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as angina or blocked arteries which may require surgery or medication to treat them

To reduce your risk of developing heart disease, follow these tips:

  1. You need to know your numbers:

     First, calculate your total cholesterol. To do so, add up the numbers for your HDL (high-            density lipoprotein), LDL (low-density lipoprotein), and triglycerides. If you’re between 100 and 199, then you’re in the normal range. If your number is below 200 mg/dL, then you are at a lower risk for heart disease. If it’s above 200 mg/dL, then you should consider making changes to reduce this number.

Next, calculate your blood pressure. Again, if it’s between 120/80 and 140/90 mmHg, then it’s considered normal—but if it’s higher than that range, then steps should be taken to lower it over time through diet and exercise changes (or medication).

  1. Eat healthy foods: Choose whole grains instead of white breads and pastas, and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables every day. These foods are full of nutrients that help keep your cardiovascular system healthy.
  2. Watch what you drink: Limit alcohol consumption because too much booze can increase blood pressure levels in the body and cause other complications associated with heart disease development. Drink plenty of water every day instead.
  3. Exercise regularly: The Indian Heart Association recommends 30 minutes per day at least five days per week for adults between ages 18-65 years old; however, this should be modified based on individual needs and abilities.
  4. Avoid smoking or drinking heavily: Smoking is not just bad for your health, it’s also bad for your family (passive smoking). It can cause a wide range of issues, from reduced lung capacity to an increased risk of heart disease. If you’re a smoker or drink heavily, it’s important to make changes in your lifestyle to avoid any negative effects.

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