World heart day is celebrated on 29th September. It was created in 2000 to inform people around the globe that heart disease and stroke are the world's leading cause of death, claiming 17.3 million lives each year and the numbers are rising. Less physical activity and stressful life style increases the incidence of the cardiovascular diseases. We should be aware of the heart diseases and prevention methods for it so that we can protect ourselves from the largest killers and will have a strong healthy heart.
MAJOR DETERMINANTS OF THE HEART DISEASE:
- Most heart disease is the result of the obstruction of the coronary arteries.
- Congestive heart failure is the mechanical failure of the heart to eject the blood delivered to it.
- Heart muscle or valve can be damaged by metabolic or immune disease.
- High B.P increases the risk of Atherosclerosis and other heart diseases.
- Abnormal embryonic development of the heart produces significant cardiac anatomic malformations.
- Heart conditions can become complicated by abnormal heart beat patterns (arrhythmias).
MAJOR RISK FACTORS:
- Cigarette smoking
- Elevated total or LDL Cholesterol
- Hypertension (B.P > 140/90 mmHg)
- Low HDL Cholesterol
- Less Physical Activity
- Age (men > 45 years; women > 55 years)
MAJOR HEART DISEASES:
Some of the diseases are discussed here:
- Arrhythmias
- Atherosclerosis
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Angina Pectoris
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Rheumatic Heart Disease
- Hypertensive Heart Disease