Details
Eliminate Lifestyle Risks For a Healthy Heart
30-Jun-2019
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Dr. Jagdish Khandeparkar, Hon. Consultant, KEM Hospital, Mumbai
Coronary Arteries are the blood vessels that supply blood, oxygen and nutrients to the muscles of the heart. In a condition called coronary artery atherosclerosis, these coronary arteries get diseased with deposition of fatty plaque resulting in narrowing or blockage of these arteries. Muscles of the heart get deprived of the requisite blood supply. As a result, the patient experiences chest pain that is known as ‘Angina’ in medical terms or may even suffer a heart attack (infarction).
If the patient develops symptoms of chest pain, particularly occurring after exertion that radiates to the jaw or left arm, he should promptly be taken to a well equipped hospital capable of dealing with cardiac emergencies.
The patient is generally admitted and investigations launched through blood tests, ECG and echocardiography. After confirming the diagnosis and initiating medical treatment, a coronary angiography will be advised to detect the nature of the coronary artery disease. If present, one would be advised an angioplasty or a coronary artery bypass surgery as becomes necessary. The delay in reaching the hospital results in compromising the results. After appropriate intervention, the patient is discharged from hospital with necessary instructions and advised to follow up on an outpatient basis. In some cases the hospital stay is prolonged if complications occur due to severity of the disease.
At home, the patient is required to continue medications as advised at the time of discharge. These medications help in reducing the development of further complications of coronary artery disease or subsequent heart attacks and help in an early recovery. The prescribed timelines for medications is given by the physician during follow up visits.
If the patient undergoes bypass surgery, it is important to take care of the chest wound. It should not be injured. Lifting heavy weight and excessive shoulder movements must be avoided until the breast bone(sternum) fully heals. This may take two to three months. A weaker sternum may take longer to heal. If the patient develops fever, redness around and over the wound, pain in the operated area, any pus or fluid discharging from the wound or palpitations, immediate medical attention is recommended.
After a successful recovery from the angioplasty or bypass surgery, patients gradually return to an active life. It is important to train this heart which suffered damage due to the attack to gradually prepare for the active life by undergoing a structured rehabilitation process. Though everyone can exercise, the decision regarding the duration, intensity and nature of exercise is decided on the basis of the severity of the patient’s heart disease and any other concomitant illness.
It is important to adapt to a lifestyle to reduce the risk factors. One must avoid smoking. A healthy well balanced diet must be followed. Blood pressure and diabetes if present must be controlled. Relaxation techniques to reduce the stress must be practiced.
Even patients who recover from simpler cases of heart attack are prone to heart related problems in first two to three weeks thereafter. This risk gradually reduces after six weeks.
Every patient is different. Hence though there are general guidelines, the specific advice and treatment will vary from patient to patient. The physician is the best person to monitor the patient and advise further on all aspects.
Ends//- (Disclaimer: The general guidelines issued here are no substitute for considered medical advice, diagnosis treatment and instructions.)”
“Dr. Jagdish Khandeparkar, Hon. Consultant, KEM Hospital, Mumbai
Coronary Arteries are the blood vessels that supply blood, oxygen and nutrients to the muscles of the heart. In a condition called coronary artery atherosclerosis, these coronary arteries get diseased with deposition of fatty plaque resulting in narrowing or blockage of these arteries. Muscles of the heart get deprived of the requisite blood supply. As a result, the patient experiences chest pain that is known as ‘Angina’ in medical terms or may even suffer a heart attack (infarction).
If the patient develops symptoms of chest pain, particularly occurring after exertion that radiates to the jaw or left arm, he should promptly be taken to a well equipped hospital capable of dealing with cardiac emergencies.
The patient is generally admitted and investigations launched through blood tests, ECG and echocardiography. After confirming the diagnosis and initiating medical treatment, a coronary angiography will be advised to detect the nature of the coronary artery disease. If present, one would be advised an angioplasty or a coronary artery bypass surgery as becomes necessary. The delay in reaching the hospital results in compromising the results. After appropriate intervention, the patient is discharged from hospital with necessary instructions and advised to follow up on an outpatient basis. In some cases the hospital stay is prolonged if complications occur due to severity of the disease.
At home, the patient is required to continue medications as advised at the time of discharge. These medications help in reducing the development of further complications of coronary artery disease or subsequent heart attacks and help in an early recovery. The prescribed timelines for medications is given by the physician during follow up visits.
If the patient undergoes bypass surgery, it is important to take care of the chest wound. It should not be injured. Lifting heavy weight and excessive shoulder movements must be avoided until the breast bone(sternum) fully heals. This may take two to three months. A weaker sternum may take longer to heal. If the patient develops fever, redness around and over the wound, pain in the operated area, any pus or fluid discharging from the wound or palpitations, immediate medical attention is recommended.
After a successful recovery from the angioplasty or bypass surgery, patients gradually return to an active life. It is important to train this heart which suffered damage due to the attack to gradually prepare for the active life by undergoing a structured rehabilitation process. Though everyone can exercise, the decision regarding the duration, intensity and nature of exercise is decided on the basis of the severity of the patient’s heart disease and any other concomitant illness.
It is important to adapt to a lifestyle to reduce the risk factors. One must avoid smoking. A healthy well balanced diet must be followed. Blood pressure and diabetes if present must be controlled. Relaxation techniques to reduce the stress must be practiced.
Even patients who recover from simpler cases of heart attack are prone to heart related problems in first two to three weeks thereafter. This risk gradually reduces after six weeks.
Every patient is different. Hence though there are general guidelines, the specific advice and treatment will vary from patient to patient. The physician is the best person to monitor the patient and advise further on all aspects.
Ends//- (Disclaimer: The general guidelines issued here are no substitute for considered medical advice, diagnosis treatment and instructions.)”
