WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW?

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE PROBLEM?

• Epidemic of the modern era Indian men have the highest incidence of CAD and die at a younger age than males of any other race.
• Indian women have coronary artery disease rate three times higher than their American counterparts.
• Predicted death rate because of CAD by 2015 is 34% among all male deaths and 32% female deaths in India.
• 40 – 50 % of the patients who suffer their initial heart attack die with in one hour, 20 – 30 % who manage to reach the hospital die within 24 hours. So only the rest 30 – 40 % become eligible some sort of treatment medical or surgical.

WHO CAN GET IT :

Nobody is immune to CAD. Any one who has one or more of the following risk factor has a higher chance of getting CAD.

SYMPTOMS :
Specific:

Chest pain on exertion radiating to the left arm or left jaw
Tightness or heaviness around the chest with or without difficulty in breathing – annexation or at rest.
Chest pain associated with sweating.

Non-Specific:

• Heart burn, epigastria pain.
• Generalized weakness un-explainable.
• Silent especially in diabetics.

WHAT TO DO ?

• Severe chest pain with sweating – See your physician immediately – It may be a heart attack! Chest pain not getting relieved with rest for 30 min or more. See your physician immediately It can be a heart attack in progress !
• Chest pain on exertion – Consult your physician at an early date -It may be a warning bell !

INVESTIGATION TO DIAGNOSE – CAD

• Electrocardiogram
• Echocardiogram
• Stress Test / Thallium Scan
• Coronary Angiogram
• Blood Test – Cardiac enzymes, Lipid profile

TREATMENT AVAILABLE:
Medical:

• Medicines to optimise blood flow to the heart.
• Angioplasty – To widen the blocks in the arteries carrying blood to the heart, using balloon technique.

Surgery:

• CABG – Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Operation.

CAN CAD BE PREVENTED?

• The truth is we can not prevent CAD but can prevent a heart attack

HOW TO PREVENT A HEART ATTACK

• That is by modifying the risk factors.
• No smoking – active or passive.
• Low fat, high fibre diet. Low salt diet – if blood pressure is high and low calorie – if diabetic.
• Strict control of blood pressure and diabeties under supervision of your physician.
• Increase physical activity, regular excercises.
• Avoid excessive mental stress by finding out a way of relaxation that suits you best (ex. Yoga, Meditation, Sports ets.,).
• If you have more than one of above said risk factors you should have periodic check (Blood, Cholesterol, ECG, Stress tests) to detect CAD early.

If you have any doubt about Heart Disease,
Please mail to: needyheart@hotmail.com