KATHMANDU: Heart helps to pump blood and circulate to the brain, kidneys, liver and different parts of the body. However, a sedentary lifestyle is becoming one of the major reasons worldwide for deteriorating heart condition. Thus, with an aim to make people aware about keeping one’s heart healthy, the World Heart Day is celebrated every year on September 29. This year too it is being celebrated with the theme ‘Creating Heart-Healthy Environments’.

Coronary heart disease

People suffer from ischemic and coronary heart diseases. “If the heart circulates a lower amount of blood on its own, then it is ischemic; but if the deposition of fat on the coronary artery of the heart narrows and lowers the circulation, then it is termed as coronary heart disease,” differentiated Dr Chandra Mani Poudel, DM,MD, MBBS Cardiology, Assistant Professor of Cardiology at Institute of Medicine, Maharajgunj.

Coronary heart diseases are common in adults usually after 35 to 40 years.

Congenital and acquired are some of the major causes for heart diseases in children. Some of them are born with heart problems and these are comparatively difficult to treat. “These treatment services aren’t available outside the Valley. If someone has congenital heart disease, then the infants’ body starts to swell, the child becomes blue, and in grown up children, the swelling is visible in the legs,” informed Dr Poudel.

Infection during childhood

Children can acquire heart diseases because of streptococcal throat infection. Rheumatic heart diseases are common in them. Vascular problems will be seen in them and as a result there will be difficulty in moving hands and legs. Problems related with rheumatoid will be visible in them such as pain in the joints, migratory arthritis, et cetera. Throat infections, tonsillitis, fever are some of the symptoms during streptococcal throat infection. “If such infections are seen in children, then its residual effects such as infection in valves can be seen in any stage of life. It is one of the common problems in developing countries as personal hygiene isn’t maintained.

“Overcrowding and poor nutrition are the other causes. Antibodies released by the body to fight streptococcal infection damage the heart’s valves,” informed the doctor.

Acute rheumatic fever is seen in children within the age of five to 15 years. However, rheumatic heart disease is seen from 10-15 to 50-60 years of age. This is why it is necessary to treat infections in children to protect/save their hearts.

Pericarditis — inflammation of the lining of the heart (pericardium) and myocarditis — inflammation of the heart muscle too are other heart diseases. Viral infections, kidney failure, and autoimmune conditions are some of the causes for pericarditis, while viral infection is the cause for myocarditis.

A major cause

One of the major causes for ischemic heart disease is stress. “When someone is in stress, more amount of adrenaline is released. The fat deposited too gets released leading to blood clot in the vessels giving rise to heart attack,” informed Dr Poudel. Along with mental stress, there are other risk factors of heart disease. The risk of coronary heart disease is more in those who consume alcohol, eat oily food items, are obese and physically inactive. People with high blood pressure and diabetes too are prone to heart diseases. Apart from them, males who are above the age of 40, perimenopausal women and smokers too are at risk of heart diseases.

Salt intake

Salt is necessary for human health. There will be an imbalance in the body if the sodium quota is not fulfilled. But if there is a high intake of sodium (more than 2.4 gm for normal and more than 1,500 for high blood pressure patients a day), there will be an increment in blood pressure.

If someone suffers from heart diseases, s/he will show the symptoms of chest pain (on the left side), pain in the upper region of stomach, perspiration, nausea and vomiting. If there is an immediate acute pain on the left side of the chest, there is a feeling of something pushing, difficulty in breathing along with vomiting, then one must visit the hospital immediately for a heart check-up. An early treatment is necessary for heart disease. “Minute means muscles here,” informed Dr Poudel.

Patients suffering from heart diseases are increasing in the country because of their sedentary lifestyle and urbanisation. But treatment services are expensive in the country.

Preventive measures

•    Prevent exposure to radiation.

•    Save yourself from infections during pregnancy. Immediate treatment is necessary.

•    Maintain nutrition and hygiene during pregnancy.

•    Treat rheumatic heart diseases in children.

•    Check-up for heart disease is necessary.

•    Avoid sedentary lifestyle, stress and oily foods. Eat whole grain food items.

•    Exercise at least 30 minutes a day/five days a week. Fifty minutes of vigorous exercise such as playing football, running et cetera in a week is sufficient.