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Cardiology | by Dr. Sabyasachi Pal | Published on 20/02/2023
Did you know that every year more than 17.9 million people lose their lives due to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)? Yes, you heard that right and the number is increasing rapidly. Heart conditions have become one of the most common reasons for rising deaths among both men and women. Keeping your heart healthy is very important and it goes without saying.
The heart beats almost 115,000 times every day without any pause. So, just imagine the strain the heart goes through. This is why prioritizing heart health plays an important role. We, humans, tend to delay treatment until things become serious. But prevention is always better than cure.
Visiting a doctor is a sensible decision even if it is a general physician when you experience restlessness or discomfort in the heart. The general physician from there can refer you to a cardiologist.
If you aren’t sure whether you must see a cardiologist or not, we will cover signs that will help you understand this. This blog is for informational purposes only and doesn’t serve as a guide to diagnosis. If you are experiencing any symptoms of discomfort, it is important to consult a doctor.
It is not a good idea to overlook the signs your heart is giving to take preventive measures. Book a consultation with a cardiologist right away if you experience any of the signs below:
One of the primary reasons for heart disease is genetics. To be sure, you need to go through some investigations. You can begin by drawing up a family tree and gathering information, including the distant ones. Consult a cardiologist if you observe patterns like high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Another common cause of heart conditions is chest pain. There are many reasons that might cause pain like indigestion but you shouldn’t avoid the problem. Chest pains are usually the warning sign of an impending heart attack. Don’t ignore the chest pain as it eventually causes death when overlooked.
Make sure to keep an eye on your blood pressure. You must go for monthly check-ups as high blood pressure can increase the chances of a stroke. Seek clinical assistance right away if you have always had this condition.
Not everyone is aware of this, but heart conditions and diabetes are interconnected. One main reason behind this interconnection is high or low blood sugar levels which impacts the blood vessels and their functioning. This condition increases the probability of cardiovascular impairment. So, if you have diabetes, then make sure to visit a cardiologist regularly for preventive measures.
This is something that impacts only women, particularly pregnant ones. Preeclampsia is a clinical condition in which blood pressure increases during pregnancy. It increases the likelihood of developing cardiovascular illnesses and hypertension. It is best to visit a cardiologist if you were diagnosed with preeclampsia.
If you have congenital heart disease (CHD), then you must go for regular check-ups. There is a common misunderstanding that if CHD is treated, then it doesn’t need after-care. You must follow the rules and visit your cardiologist regularly.
While exercise has countless benefits, it can affect the heart adversely. If you integrate high-intensity exercise into your routine, while having the risk factors, then it can do more harm than good. It is always best to take the recommendation of a healthcare expert before doing anything drastic.
If you are a regular smoker, then you must know that it causes various heart-related conditions. Being one of the risk factors, it causes cancer and high blood pressure. Remember, that this is something you need to quit to ensure good heart health. Visit a cardiologist, if you have a history of smoking or you are a smoker.
An increase in cholesterol levels is the most alarming aspect as it signifies the absenteeism of visible signs. Hence, you must visit for a regular check-up. Remember that high cholesterol is a foremost risk linked to heart conditions. Make sure to follow a healthy balanced diet to keep your cholesterol levels in control.
Arteries are responsible for circulating blood from the heart to other organs. If you have been diagnosed with arterial disease, then it is a matter of concern. In certain cases, there are chances of growing other heart conditions, so visiting a cardiologist on time is a good idea.
You must understand the importance of the heart. Neglecting heart health can lead to grave consequences. It can even become life-threatening in no time. Apart from the listed reasons, there are many more risk factors that alert you to visit a cardiologist. However, most of them can be prevented with simple lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, restricting alcohol consumption, indulging in exercise, eating a healthy & balanced diet, etc.
Who is a cardiologist?
Cardiologist is a physician who studies and treats conditions related to the heart. He holds the expertise and is trained to prevent, diagnose, and treat any kind of heart ailment.
How to identify heart problems?
Heart problems can be identified by observing the symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, chest pressure, chest tightness, chest discomfort, neck pain, jaw pain, weakness in the legs or arms, and feeling of numbness. It is important to visit the cardiologist to diagnose any heart conditions. There are tests usually recommended for heart problems which include blood tests, chest X-rays, and electrocardiograms.
How to avoid heart problems?
There are numerous ways that can assist you to eliminate the risk of growing heart conditions like cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Here are some of the tips:
Does smoking cause heart problems?
Smoking is very hazardous to not only cardiovascular health but overall health. It is one of the primary causes of increasing cardiovascular diseases nowadays. Smoking can lead to damaging your heart and blood vessels permanently.
Is excessive burping a sign of heart problems?
No, burping doesn’t signify heart problems, but symptoms linked to belching like tightness, bloating, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, etc. can be a sign of heart conditions.
Can digestive problems cause heart palpitations?
Yes, digestive problems can cause heart palpitations, however, they are usually not harmful and can occur because of the swallowing, chewing, and kind of ingredients you are eating.
Can too much exercise cause heart conditions?
Yes, vigorous exercise can cause heart conditions and is linked to coronary artery calcification, large-artery wall stiffening, and diastolic dysfunction.
Is ECG reliable to detect heart problems?
An ECG is quite reliable to detect different types of heart problems, however, it doesn’t pick every condition right. It helps in measuring the heart rate and rhythm but doesn’t identify artery blockages unless it is causing blood flow loss to the heart muscle.
