Dr. Ashok

Heart diseases and hypertension which lead to heart or other organ failures has been on the rise for the past 2 decades. People above the age of 35+ have been seen suffering from such problems due to their unbalanced dietary habits and sedentary lifestyle. Its always advisable to control these factors to reduce your risk.

An indulgent lifestyle and an inadequate diet are two major causes of heart disease which can be changed. To stay fit here are a few measures of care and control

7 warning signals to know about.

Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or episodes of pain in the centre of the chest lasting more than a few minutes. Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck or arms. It may feel like pressure, tightness, burning or heavy weight. It may be located in the chest, upper abdomen, neck, jaw or inside the arms or shoulders.

    Chest discomfort with light headedness, fainting, sweating, nausea, vomiting.
    Shortness of breath or agonal gasp.
    Anxiety, nervousness and/or cold, sweaty skin.
    Paleness.
    Increased or irregular heart rate or flutter or palpitation
    Feeling of impending doom with sinking sensation.

Know behind the scene 

A heart attack occurs when one or more of coronary arteries (main supply to heart) become blocked. Over time, a coronary artery can narrow from the buildup of various substances, including cholesterol (atherosclerosis). This condition, known as coronary artery disease, causes most heart attacks.

A. B. C of cardiac care

- avoid tobacco (cigarette, shisha)

- be more active (cardio exercises)

- choose good nutrition (eat larger portions of low-calorie, nutrient-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables, and smaller portions of high-calorie, high-sodium foods, such as refined, processed or fast foods.)

Cutting cholesterol

Dietary cholesterol should be 300mg per day. Since it largely comes from animal products, consumption of non-vegetarian, whole full cream milk should be restricted.

Take a health alternative like chicken, fish, beans, vegetables, fruits, breads, pulses, wholewheat flour, cereals, brown rice, millet, skimmed milk and vegetable oils like corn, sesame, soyabean, sunflower, canola, olive and mustard.

Friendly and unfriendly fats
Fat should not exceed 30 per cent of your total calorie intake. Saturated fatty acids in full-cream milk and red meat increase your cholesterol level. Use non-fat or low-fat milk and milk products instead of full-cream milk and avoid sources of saturated fatty acids like lard, butter, cream, palm oil, coconut oil, cheese, etc.

Mono-unsaturated fats that lower cholesterol as well as prevent formation of blood clots are present in olive, canola, peanut and mustard oils. Omega-3, a fatty acid that prevents atherosclerosis is present in foods like herring, mackerel, salmon, tuna, soyabean, walnuts and butternuts. Take these regularly in small quantities to prevent atherosclerosis.

Holistic way to control chest pain

    Boil 4 -5 pods of garlic in glass of milk and consume the garlic pods with milk daily to avoid chest pain.
    Pound the dates with seeds and eat them every day.
    Increase the intake of ginger and lime in your diet.
    Drink a glass of milk mixed with kadukai (ink nut) powder every night before going to be.
    Take a spoon of tulsi (india basil) juice with honey in empty stomach every day.