We asked Dr. Sanjay Kumar, an interventional cardiologist, some common questions on heart health. Read about why heart health is so important and therefore things you can do to reduce your risk.
WHY IS HEART HEALTH SO IMPORTANT?
Heart disease is the number one killer for both men and women. The good news is that up to 80% of its risk factors are preventable. If you act early, you will make a positive impact on the outcome.
WHAT ARE THE COMMON MYTHS ABOUT HEART DISEASE?
A common myth is that heart disease is only for men. In reality, it strikes men and woman similarly. Women tend to develop the onset of heart disease about a decade later than men, but they are more likely to have a typical symptoms such as feeling vaguely tired, nauseated, or simply “not well” instead of the clenching of the chest we expect of when one has a heart attack .
ARE THERE STEPS WE CAN DO TO PREVENT OR REDUCE THE RISK OF DEVELOPING HEART DISEASE?
Know your risk factors and ask your doctor. Some risk factors you can’t change like age, gender or case history. You can work hard to quit smoking, take steps to avoid developing obesity which leads to diabetes, measure and control your blood pressure and cholesterol. It’s also important to exercise. “Sitting is the new smoking.” Sedentary lifestyle is the biggest rising risk factor for heart diseases.
WHAT’S THE IMPORTANT THING SOMEBODY CAN DO TO AVOID HEART DISEASE?
If you are smoking, stop.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE WE CAN DO?
Make lifestyle changes. By living a healthy lifestyle, you can help keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels normal. Choose healthy food and drinks habits every chance you’ve got. If you’ve got diabetes, make sure you’re managing it aggressively. Diabetes is one of the biggest risk factors for all vascular diseases. If you’ve got high cholesterol, make sure to intervene early. Take charge of your medical conditions. Most importantly, just keep moving!
Consult Dr. Sanjay Kumar for a transparent, dependable & patient-centric care. He is having an extensive hands-on experience in interventional cardiology and medical management of various cardiac diseases. Diagnose and treat for a wide range of cardiovascular conditions. Book an Appointment at +91-9818403954