120/80 is commonly recommended blood pressure for healthy people. In India, 100-130 Systolic and 70-85 diastolic blood pressure is most common. Doctors generally give precautions to heart disease and diabetic patients when systole crosses 130. But, according to a research study published in the July 7 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, systolic blood pressure of 130-140 is actually good for patients suffering from Coronary artery disease and diabetes. According to this research study conducted by University of Florida scientists, systolic pressure of less than 120 and diastolic pressure of less than 80 is actually not good for these patients. But, when systolic blood pressure crosses 140, such diabetic patients are more prone (50% increase in risk) to heart attack and death. For Diabetes and Coronary Heart Disease patients: Good Systolic blood pressure: 130-140 Bad: Less than 120 Worst systolic blood pressure: More than 140 So, Systolic Blood pressure of 130-140 is actually good for diabetic and heart disease patients. But, blood pressure of more than 140 is very harmful for such patients. Heart disease (especially myocardial infarction) is the most common cause of death in diabetics. Advice: When a patient comes with a systolic blood pressure of more than 140, try to reduce it to 130-140 levels. But, doctors should not concentrate on intense reduction to 110-120 levels. … [Read more...]
Heart diseases are again rising
Incidence of heart diseases which has been declining due to preventive measures is again rising especially among the young, according to several studies in Western countries. Obesity and Diabetes are also major culprits for this rise in heart diseases. Heart diseases are occurring at an alarm rate especially in 35-54 age group due to their lifestyle, smoking and junk food habits. But deaths due to heart diseases are declining in old age people due to better health care services and diagnostic methods. According to an article published in the medical journal “Archives of Internal medicine”, post-mortem reports of people who died due to other causes are showing high incidence of Coronary heart disease (unknown to them). How to prevent Heart disease epidemic: 1. Regular health checkups for everyone aged above 35 years. 2. Stay away from smoking and tobacco chewing. 3. Junk food restaurants are your route to hell. Don’t eat refined foods and fat rich diet. 4. Old age people should take preventive drugs like Statins and aspirin. 5. Control your blood pressure and blood sugar and cholesterol levels. 6. Obesity is the major cause for chronic lifestyle diseases. It also causes cancers. 7. Don’t neglect warning signs like chest pain and breathlessness. Consult your doctor immediately. Governments need to educate people on the harmful effects of smoking and junk food habits. They should ban advertisements on these products. … [Read more...]
Heart Diseases world’s largest killer
Heart disease and stroke are responsible for largest number of deaths in the world. Heart diseases kill 17.5 million people in the world. This report was released by World Heart Foundation on September 30, World Heart Day. In India, 70 million people are suffering from heart diseases. Biggest concern is most of these deaths are preventable. Image courtesy: Wellness Evolution. Obesity, Diabetes, uncontrolled blood pressure, Smoking, lack of physical activity and unhealthy diet habits are major causes for heart diseases. Obesity is gradually attaining epidemic proportions especially in urban areas due to lack of physical activity and junk food habits. Obesity is the major factor for causing type 2 Diabetes and high blood pressure. Heart attack is the number one cause of death in diabetic patients. Brisk walking for 35-40 minutes alone saves millions of deaths from heart diseases. Smoking is the number one causative factor for heart diseases and stroke. Fast foods are another major risk factor for heart diseases by increasing bad cholesterol thereby causing clotting in the blood vessels. Contrary to popular belief, 80% of deaths from chronic diseases occur in low and middle class families due to increased health awareness among rich families. Decrease in deaths due to heart ailments is mainly due to better medical treatment and rising health awareness. Increase in physical activity, consuming diet rich in vegetables and fruits and abstaining from smoking will prevent 80% deaths from heart diseases. Please share your opinion on this article. … [Read more...]
Coronary Heart Disease and Angina
Coronary heart disease leads to heart attack. The coronary arteries have to become reduced in size upto 70% before the signs and symptoms appear in the patient. This disease becomes more advanced in hypertensive and Diabetic patients. Even the obstruction to blood supply occurs up to 60% - 70% in coronary arteries, Heart gets blood supply through collateral routes. This collateral blood supply compensate to some extent. Stages: 1. Dyspnoea (Breathlessness): It is the first stage in heart patients.2. Orthopnoea: Second stage – breathlessness occurs while lying in bed. 3. Dyspnoea in nights: Patient suddenly sits on the bed from sleep due to sudden breathlessness in the middle of the nights. This stage subsides within minutes or continues for few hours. This is called Cardiac Asthma. Angina: There is compressed pain in the chest of the patient. The pain in angina is present in the centre of the chest and behind the bone closely to it. This pain radiates to neck, lower jaw, shoulder, arms, especially to fingers of left hand. Nature of pain:There is feeling of pulling some weight on the chest or sometimes, very light pain. Upper limbs develop numbness and the hand is heavy. Patient is in helpless condition. Angina pain develops while doing labor work and subsides after stopping the work (rest). Angina generally occurs: 1. Cold air 2. After taking meals. 3. after sexual act. 4. In emotions In the early morning – Body unable to start its work. Angina pain may subside in 1-2 minutes or continues for 30 minutes. In heart attack, The pain in chest continue for more than one hour. … [Read more...]
Recent Comments