Overview
Heart health covers conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, including high cholesterol, angina (chest pain from narrowed arteries), heart attack and heart failure. Fatty deposits building up in the arteries over many years are the main cause. Many heart problems can be prevented or slowed with healthy habits and the right medicines.
Causes
- High LDL (bad) cholesterol
- Narrowing of the heart arteries (coronary artery disease)
- Long-standing high blood pressure
- Damage from a previous heart attack
- Heart valve or rhythm problems
Risk factors
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Family history of early heart disease
- Being overweight and inactive
- Diet high in fried food and ghee
- Stress
Symptoms
- Chest pain or tightness, especially on effort (angina)
- Breathlessness and tiredness
- Swollen ankles
- Palpitations
- Many people with high cholesterol have no symptoms
Diagnosis
Doctors use a lipid profile blood test, ECG, echocardiogram, exercise test and sometimes an angiogram to check the heart and arteries.
Management
- Heart-healthy eating: more vegetables, fruit, whole grains and less fried food
- Regular activity as advised by your doctor
- Stopping smoking
- Medicines such as statins (atorvastatin, rosuvastatin), low-dose aspirin, and heart-failure medicines, as prescribed
- Controlling blood pressure and sugar
When to see a doctor
See a doctor for chest pain on exertion, breathlessness or swollen legs. Call emergency help straight away for chest pain lasting more than a few minutes, pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back, sweating, or fainting.
This information is for general awareness and does not replace advice from your doctor. Prescription medicines are supplied only against a valid prescription. Questions? Ask our pharmacist on WhatsApp.