In honour of Valentine’s Day and February being “Heart Health Month”, we thought it was a great time to review some basic information on how we can all improve our cardiac health. What better gift could you possibly give those who care about you than your own good health?
Cardiovascular disease refers to a disease process that effects the circulatory system which includes the heart and blood vessels; the blood vessels may affect the lungs, brain, kidneys or other vital parts of the body. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in adult men and women according to the Public Health Agency of Canada and the American Heart Association.
FACTS
There are six major types of cardiovascular disease, these include:
Peripheral vascular disease: PVD is a condition of the blood vessels that leads to narrowing and hardening of the arteries that supply the legs and feet. The narrowing of the blood vessels leads to decreased blood flow, which can injure nerves and other tissues.
Congenital heart disease: CHD occurs at birth; a congenital heart defect happens when the heart or the blood vessels near the heart don't develop normally before birth.
Ischemic heart disease: IHD develops when cholesterol accumulates on the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Eventually, deposits called plaques may form. These deposits narrow the arteries and eventually block the flow of blood; this decrease in blood flow reduces the amount of oxygen supplied to the heart muscle and leads to recurring chest pain or discomfort.
Cerebrovascular disease: CVD refers to a group of conditions that affect the circulation of blood to the brain, causing limited or no blood flow to affected areas of the brain. Atherosclerosis is one of the conditions that can cause CVD. During this process, high cholesterol levels coupled with inflammation in areas of the arteries in the brain can cause the cholesterol to build up in the vessel in the form of a thick, waxy plaque. This plaque can limit, or completely obstruct, blood flow to the brain, causing a stroke (CVA), transient ischemic attacks (TIA), or dementia, which may lead to a variety of other health complications.
Heart failure: (CHF) occurs when the heart isn't able to pump blood normally. As a result, there is not enough blood flow to provide the body's organs with oxygen and nutrients. The term "heart failure" does not mean that the heart stops beating completely, but that the heart is not working efficiently.
Rheumatic heart disease: (RHD) refers to the chronic heart valve damage that can occur after a person has had an episode of acute rheumatic fever. This valve damage can eventually lead to heart failure. Rheumatic heart disease affects children and young people living in conditions of poverty, poor sanitation and overcrowding. Practically eliminated in wealthy countries, it is still common in Africa, Asia and the Pacific.
PREVENTION
Your best defense is controlling the risk factors that could lead to PVD, IHD, CVD & CHF heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, chronic stress, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and being overweight. Lifestyle changes are the most practical way to reduce the risk factors and the sooner these changes are made, the better. You will also benefit from vitamin supplements including antioxidants and vitamins C & E.
Congenital heart defects generally cannot be prevented, but before and during pregnancy you can lower your risk of having a baby with heart defects. If you are thinking of becoming pregnant and you or your partner has a congenital heart defect, ask your doctor about genetic counseling, this may help you find out if you have an increased chance of having a child with a heart defect.
The best way to deal with rheumatic heart disease is to prevent it. Aggressive treatment of strep throat (with antibiotics) and of rheumatic fever (should it occur) can help to limit rheumatic heart disease.
TESTING
The best way to identify heart disease is to have regular physicals with your family physician; be sure to keep notes of any symptoms you my experience and share them promptly with your doctor.
In the past, the most accurate test to measure atherosclerosis was angiography. Today, non-invasive imaging techniques like CT Scans and carotid ultrasounds are available to measure the health of the arterial wall and even determine the stability of the plaque deposits on the inside of the artery. Although these tests are most often used to diagnose existing strokes, they are also highly effective screening tools.
Heart failure is usually diagnosed if a test shows that the heart is not pumping as well as it should; this is called a decreased ejection fraction. Tests used to measure ejection fraction include: Echocardiogram; Gated SPECT; MRI of heart; Ventriculogram or cardiac blood pooling imaging.
Ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a common test used to diagnose PVD, it compares the blood pressure in your ankle with the blood pressure in your arm. Special ultrasound imaging techniques, such as Doppler ultrasound, can help your doctor evaluate blood flow through your blood vessels and identify blocked or narrowed arteries.
FUN ADVICE
This Valentine’s Day, do something good for your heartthrob and your heart. “Your relationships can affect your overall health, especially your cardiac health,” says Dr. Sameet Kumar, a clinical psychologist with Memorial Health Care System. So treat your Valentine right. Make dinner reservations. Take a romantic stroll. Toast yourselves with a glass of wine. And don’t forget to give that heart-shaped box of dark chocolates to the one you love. Such activities are not only good for your relationship, but they also may be good for your heart, says Dr. Melissa Tracy, medical director of the University of Miami Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.
"A torn jacket is soon mended; but hard words bruise the heart of a child". Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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