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Risk Factors
of a Heart Attack |
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| Risk Factor is characteristic
or a feature of an individual which if present in life is associated
with an increased risk of developing future heart disease. |
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High Blood Pressure |
There
is a direct and continuous co-relation between high blood
pressure levels & atherosclerosis .The current ideal recommended
blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg. Blood pressure higher than
these values needs vigorous lifestyle changes or / and drug
treatment in consultation with a qualified doctor. |
Smoking. |
Smoking
dramatically increases the incidence & severity of coronary
artery disease. Risk of CAD increases by 3-5 times by smoking
20 cigarettes a day as compared to non-smokers. Risk multiplies
in patients who have in addition high BP, diabetics and in
women taking contraceptive pills. Risk of CAD is reduced to
baseline on avoiding tobacco smoking for atleast 6 years. |
High blood cholesterol |
The
bad cholesterols (serum triglyceride, LDL and total blood
cholesterol levels) are associated with increased incidence
and severity of CAD, risk decreases on reducing cholesterol
levels in consultation with your doctor |
Sedentary Lifestyle
/ Physical Inactivity |
Sedentary
and physically inactive individuals are more prone to CAD.
Ideal recommendation is to resume a physically active lifestyle
by jogging, cycling and brisk walking atleast 40 minutes a
day for 4-5 days a week.
Caution : Heart patients need to consult
their doctor before planning their exercise programme.
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Obesity and Overweight |
Obesity
especially when associated with abnormal waist-hip ratio is
directly associated with increased incidence of coronary artery
disease leading to angina and heart attacks.
Overweight individuals are also more prone to diabetes, high
blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. |
Diabetes Mellitus |
Risk
of heart attack doubles in patients with both insulin and
non-insulin dependent diabetes. In younger diabetics the risk
is significantly higher. Diabetics are also more prone to
high blood pressure and higher cholesterol levels (dyslipidaemias).
The risk of CAD exponentially rises when all the three risk
factors are simultaneously present. |
Stress and psychological
factors |
Emotional,
social, job and environmental stressors are associated with
precipitation of CAD. Heart attacks are generally preceded
by phases of acute stress.
Behavioral patterns such as the typically
aggressive, hostility, compulsive type A personality have
six times more risk of having CAD than type B individuals
who tend to take life at a more leisurely pace. Type A individuals
also have a difficult recovery from heart disease.
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Family History |
Heart
disease runs in families. Premature CAD is more commonly seen
when blood relations are suffering from it. Levels of Lp (a),
hypertension, familial dyslipidaemias and diabetes also run
in families and all these factors add to the overall risk
of developing CAD. |
Advancing age |
Incidences
of CAD double while comparing people in their 30s-40s to those
between 70-80 years. Atherosclerosis that leads to heart disease
is considered to be a natural ageing process and hence the
difference with increasing age. |
Hyperhomocysteinaemia |
Male sex |
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All
these risk factors lead to gradual hardening, clogging and
narrowing of arteries commonly referred to as atherosclerosis
presenting as angina and heart attack at a later stage. |
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Role
of Diet |
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Excess
of total Calories, Animal Fats, dairy & other saturated
fat products, Sugar & low fibre content diet are all contributing
substantially to CAD. Animal Fats (Meat, eggs & milk products)
are the most culpable, as they have a high cholesterol. Not
all dietary fats are bad. Saturated fats are the real trouble
shooters. The goods fats are PUFA & MUFA, their prime
source is Refined Vegetable oils, Olive oil, Corn oil &
Groundnut oil. A balance has to be maintained between the
Saturated and poly unsaturated oils. Consumption of saturated
fat should be less than 9% of the total fat intake.
A diet, which includes low salt, low fat, high starch, high
fiber, high vitamins from fresh fruits, cereals, vegetables
and non-fried fish should be Preferred. Alcohol in moderation,
up-to two drinks of 30 ml each can be consumed but the effect
of alcohol on other organs should not be over looked. |
