Track home indicators to identify risks
Dr. Chirag D - an interventional cardiologist, practicing in Bangalore, Karnataka, India, said that the key to prevention lies in early monitoring of heart function and daily effort. Two basic indicators that each person can check at home are resting heart rate and blood pressure.
Normal heart rate fluctuates from 60 - 100 beats per minute. Ideal blood pressure should be below 140/90 millimeters of mercury, as recommended by the British National Institute of Health. Digital blood pressure monitors make monitoring more convenient. Besides numbers, people need to pay attention to signs when exerting themselves such as chest tightness, abnormal shortness of breath when climbing stairs or walking fast. This may be an early manifestation of coronary artery stenosis.
High blood pressure, silent killer
High blood pressure rarely causes symptoms in the early stages, but silently forces the heart to overwork, leading to cardiomyopathy and subsequent heart failure. This condition is the leading risk factor for coronary artery disease.
According to the US National Institutes of Health, the feeling of chest pressure, pain spreading down to the hand or jaw should never be taken lightly. When an atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary artery ruptures, blood clots can form and cause sudden myocardial infarction, even during rest.
From an international perspective, Professor John Deanfield - a cardiovascular expert at University College London, said that early detection and lifestyle changes can slow the atherosclerosis process down many years before intervention is needed. He emphasized that maintaining at least 150 minutes of exercise per week and a diet rich in green vegetables and fruits as recommended by the World Health Organization helps significantly reduce cardiovascular risk.
In case of abnormal home readings or prolonged symptoms, patients should go to a medical facility to perform an electrocardiogram, heart ultrasound, stress tests or coronary angiography. Proactive early check-ups are the most effective way to prevent sudden heart attacks.
