Live Longer, Know Your Health
Ever wondered why you were feeling a little more fatigued than usual? Why you may have been visiting the loo so many times a day and why your head feels light and your vision gets blurred? Maybe you’re suffering from BP…
Blood Pressure (BP), Diabetes and Heart Disease, these three illnesses so common yet so unknown to some people, we at Consumer Digest have put together a guide for our readers in the hope that they will get the knowledge and information that might help them live longer and healthier.
Blood Pressure
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood on the walls of the arteries when the heart beats. When measured, two readings are recorded.
The first is called the systolic pressure and represents the force of the blood as the heart contracts (beats) to pump it around the body.
The second, called the diastolic, is the pressure while the heart is filling with blood again in preparation for the next contraction or heart beat.
For most people a blood pressure reading less than 140/85mmHg is desirable. For those already at high risk of cardiovascular disease (for example people with diabetes) the normal limit is a little lower, at 130/80 mmHg.
Blood pressure changes throughout the day. In particular, it increases during exercise and decreases during sleep.
What are the symptoms?
Although high blood pressure can cause headaches, dizziness and problems with vision, the majority of people suffer no symptoms at all.
However, it can lead to heart attack, stroke and kidney damage, which is why it's important for people to have it checked every couple of years so it can be diagnosed and treated.
In 90 per cent of cases there's no specific cause of high blood pressure, but it can run in families. In around 10 per cent of cases, kidney disease, endocrine disease (for example, underactive thyroid) and drugs (such as the contraceptive pill) are found to be responsible.
Safe levels
If your blood pressure is normal then it needs to stay that way. If it's high, it needs to be brought down to a normal level. There's no cure as such for hypertension, but following a healthy lifestyle can be enough to bring blood pressure down to a normal level.
Medication is used if lifestyle changes alone fail to lower blood pressure sufficiently. Those used are safe and have few side effects.
The optimal blood pressure (sometimes referred to as the 'gold standard') targets are:
Systolic: less than 120 mmHg (2.32 psi or 15 kPa)
Diastolic: less than 80 mmHg (1.55 psi or 10 kPa)
High blood pressure - Hypertension
The diagnosis of abnormalities in blood pressure may require serial measurement. Since blood pressure varies throughout the day, measurements should be taken at the same time of day to ensure the readings taken are comparable.
Suitable times are:
immediately after awakening (before washing/dressing and taking breakfast/drink), while the body is still resting, immediately after finishing work.
Persistent hypertension is one of the risk factors for strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, arterial aneurysms, and is the leading cause of chronic renal failure.
Low blood pressure – Hypotension
Blood pressure that is too low is known as hypotension. The similarity in pronunciation with hypertension can cause confusion.
Low blood pressure may be a sign of severe disease and requires urgent medical attention.
When blood pressure and blood flow decrease beyond a certain point, the perfusion of the brain becomes critically decreased (i.e., the blood supply is not sufficient), causing lightheadedness, dizziness, weakness and fainting.
However, people who function well, while maintaining low blood pressures have lower rates of cardiovascular disease events than people with normal blood pressures.
Diabetes
Diabetes occurs because the body can't use glucose properly, either owing to a lack of the hormone insulin, or because the insulin available doesn't work effectively.
The full name 'diabetes mellitus' derives from the Greek word 'diabetes' meaning siphon - to pass through - and 'mellitus' - the Latin for honeyed or sweet. This is because not only is excess sugar found in the blood but it may also appear in the urine, hence it being known in the 17th century as the 'pissing evil'.
Diabetes has been a recognised condition for more than 3,500 years.
More than three-quarters of people with diabetes have what is called type 2 diabetes mellitus. This used to be known as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or maturity-onset diabetes mellitus.
The remainder have type 1 diabetes mellitus, which used to be known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
What's the difference?
In type 1, the body's unable to produce any insulin. This usually starts in childhood or young adulthood. It's treated with diet control and insulin injections.
In type 2, not enough insulin is produced or the insulin that is made by the body doesn't work properly. This tends to affect people as they get older, and usually appears after the age of 40.
Normal blood sugar control
The body converts glucose from food into energy. Glucose comes ready made in sweet foods such as sweets and cakes, or from starchy foods such as potatoes, pasta or bread once they're digested. The liver is also able to manufacture glucose.
Under normal circumstances, the hormone insulin, which is made by the pancreas, carefully regulates how much glucose is in the blood. Insulin stimulates cells to absorb enough glucose from the blood for the energy, or fuel, that they need. Insulin also stimulates the liver to absorb and store any glucose that's left over.
After a meal, the amount of glucose in the blood rises, and this triggers the release of insulin. When blood glucose levels fall, during exercise for example, insulin levels fall too.
A second hormone manufactured by the pancreas is called glucagon. It stimulates the liver to release glucose when it's needed, and this raises the level of glucose in the blood.
Insulin is manufactured and stored in the pancreas, which is a thin gland about 15cm (6in) long that lies crosswise behind the stomach. It's often described as being two glands in one, since in addition to making insulin it also produces enzymes that are vital for digestion of food.
These include lipase, which helps to digest fat, and amylase that helps to digest starchy foods. It also releases 'bicarbonate of soda' to neutralise any stomach acid that may otherwise damage the lining of the gut.
Diabetes Symptoms
Diabetes often goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem so harmless. Recent studies indicate that the early detection of diabetes symptoms and treatment can decrease the chance of developing the complications of diabetes.
In type 1 diabetes, symptoms tend to develop rapidly, over a couple of weeks, and are more severe. In type 2 diabetes, symptoms develop slowly and are usually milder.
Common symptoms of both types of diabetes are, increased thirst, passing water frequently, especially at night, tiredness and fatigue, loss of weight, genital itching or recurrent thrush
In type 1 diabetes, less common symptoms are, cramps, constipation, blurred vision, recurrent skin infections
In type 2 diabetes, symptoms may go unnoticed for years, and only when complications of diabetes - such as foot ulceration or blurred vision occur - is diabetes diagnosed. Remember that all the symptoms may not be present. Whenever any of these symptoms arise, it's important to be tested for diabetes.
Diagnosing diabetes
Diabetes may be detected in a routine urine test where excess glucose is present. In type 1 diabetes, people often develop symptoms over a few weeks. They may feel thirsty all the time and need to urinate a lot, and they may feel tired and lose weight.
A blood test that measures the level of glucose in the blood will confirm whether or not the underlying cause is diabetes.
Excess glucose in the blood damages the blood vessels and nerves, contributing to: heart disease, strokes, kidney disease (nephropathy), impotence, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), nerve damage (neuropathy), damage to the back of the eye (retinopathy)
Uncontrolled diabetes is the commonest cause of blindness in people of working age, although treatment can prevent blindness in 90 per cent of those at risk.
Diabetes is the second most common cause of lower limb amputation, trauma being responsible for most leg amputations.
However, it's possible to minimise the risk of developing these complications by keeping diabetes under tight control. This is why it's vitally important for people with diabetes to check their glucose levels at home regularly as instructed, and to attend their hospital check-ups where blood glucose, blood pressure, kidney function, eyes and feet will be examined.
Heart Disease
One of the commonest diseases to affect the heart is coronary heart disease (CHD). It's usually caused by atherosclerosis, a build up of fatty materials within the walls of the arteries.
What is CHD?
In CHD, the arteries that supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients become narrowed by atherosclerosis. This restricts the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart, particularly during exertion when there are more demands on the heart muscle.
What are the symptoms of CHD?
The main symptom is angina, caused by insufficient oxygen reaching the heart muscle because of reduced blood flow.
Angina is a feeling of heaviness, tightness or pain in the middle of your chest that may extend to, or just affect, your arms (especially the left), neck, jaw, face, back or abdomen.
It is most often experienced during exertion - if you run for a bus, for example, or climb stairs. It may occur in cold weather, after a heavy meal, or when you're feeling stressed. It can subside once you stop what you're doing and rest, or take medication.
Other CHD symptoms
The following symptoms are by no means always owing to CHD, and could be harmless or caused by other medical conditions. However, if you experience any of them it's a good idea to make an appointment to see your doctor:
Unusual breathlessness when doing light activity or at rest, or breathlessness that comes on suddenly.
Palpitations - awareness of your heart beat or a feeling of having a rapid and unusually forceful heart beat, especially if they last for several hours or recur over several days and/or cause chest pain, breathlessness or dizziness.
Fainting - although not always a serious symptom, fainting is due to insufficient oxygen reaching the brain, so you should report it to your doctor.
Fluid retention or puffiness (the medical term is oedema) is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the tissues of the ankles, legs, lungs or abdomen, for example. Although a mild degree of ankle oedema may be quite normal - for example, on a hot day - it can be a sign that the heart isn’t pumping as well as it should (this is known as heart failure). Fluid retention in the lungs, or pulmonary oedema, can cause intense shortness of breath, and may be life-threatening.
Bluish-tinged fingernails or lips (known medically as cyanosis) can be the result of too little oxygen in the blood.
Fatigue is a common symptom of heart disease, but has numerous causes, including depression. It's always worth seeing your doctor if you feel unusually tired, especially if this is combined with symptoms that can’t be explained.
Heart attack?
Unfortunately, for many people the first indication that something’s wrong is a heart attack.
This happens when the blood supply to a part of the heart muscle is completely interrupted or stops, usually when a blood clot forms in a diseased coronary artery that's already become narrowed by atherosclerosis.
The pain of a heart attack is often severe, and is frequently described as a central, crushing type of pain - like a tight band around the chest. Unlike angina, the pain doesn't subside when you rest.
Sometimes it can be mild, and is mistaken for indigestion. Some people have a heart attack without experiencing pain.
Other heart attack symptoms include sweating, light-headedness, nausea or breathlessness which, again, aren’t alleviated by rest.
What causes CHD?
The most common cause is atherosclerosis. This is a build up of fatty materials within the walls of the arteries throughout the body, most importantly in the arteries to the tissues of the heart - the coronary arteries.
During this process, the inner lining of the arteries becomes furred with a thick, porridge-like sludge (atheroma), consisting of fatty deposits of cholesterol, cell waste and other substances.
These form raised patches on the artery wall - known as 'plaques' - that narrow the arteries, reducing the space through which blood can flow. At the same time, the blood becomes more prone to clotting.
These growing plaques may block the delivery of nutrients to the artery walls, causing the arteries throughout the circulation to lose their elasticity. In turn, this can lead to high blood pressure, which also increases the risk of CHD.
A heart attack occurs when one of the coronary arteries blocks completely. This final step usually happens when a plaque splits open for some reason, causing a blood clot to form on its surface that obstructs the flow of blood. It’s not yet understood why plaques split open, but inflammation seems to play a part.
When the supply of oxygen and nutrients is completely blocked, the heart muscle and tissue supplied by that artery dies.
Some people are particularly predisposed towards developing atherosclerosis, due to inherited genetic factors. They may have a family history of people dying at a young age from CHD.
An unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, diabetes, high blood pressure and smoking all increase the risk.
Other heart diseases
Other diseases that commonly affect the heart include:
Infection: bacterial infections are much rarer these days thanks to antibiotics, but can damage the valves of the heart as well as other tissues. Viral infections can damage the heart muscle leading to heart failure, or cause abnormal heart rhythms.
Congenital heart disease: there's a range of structural abnormalities that can develop in the heart as a baby grows in the womb. These may cause abnormal flow through the heart (for example, through a septal defect or 'hole in the heart') or through the rest of the circulation, and put excessive strain on the infant's heart after it's born.
Cardiomyopathy: this is disease of the heart muscle and may occur for many different reasons, including CHD, high blood pressure, viral infection, high alcohol intake and thyroid disease.
For many people with heart disease, there are a combination of factors that can cause problems. For example, CHD (most adults have some degree of atherosclerosis, especially if they smoke) and high blood pressure are often found together.
Key risk factors include:
Your age - It’s recognised that the risk of developing CHD increases with age. Atherosclerosis takes a long time to develop, and arteries naturally become less elastic as we age, often leading to a greater risk of high blood pressure.
Your gender - Many people think of CHD as a male problem. In fact, it accounts for the death of more women than any other disease. The female sex hormone oestrogen protects against CHD during a woman’s reproductive years by creating a more favourable balance of blood fats and contributing to the elasticity and health of arteries. After the menopause - or following a total hysterectomy in which the ovaries and uterus are removed - this natural protection can disappear.
The contraceptive pill increases a woman’s risk of clotting problems, such as thrombosis or a heart attack. Although the risk is still small, it’s considerably greater if you smoke. You should consult your doctor before taking the pill.
Your genes - If you’ve a family history of CHD or factors predisposing to it, such as high cholesterol (familial hyperlipidaemia) or blood pressure, you're more at risk.
Your ethnic background - If you’re black or Asian you’re more at risk of heart disease, although different underlying risk factors are at play for each group. If you’re Asian, you’ve a higher risk of developing diabetes, which is a risk factor. If you’re black, you’re more at risk of high blood pressure.
Diabetes - If you have diabetes you’re three times more likely to develop CHD. You’re also more likely to have silent ischaemia (painless angina or a heart attack), because diabetes can affect the nerves which send pain messages. This is especially dangerous because as the person doesn’t receive any warning that they have problems, they don’t seek help which may prevent further damage.
The Consumer Digest team advises readers to see a doctor or visit the nearest hospital if they have noticed any of the symptoms mentioned above. Do not intend to treat yourself without the professional guidance of a qualified doctor and we urge our readers to buy medication from registered pharmacies so as to be prescribed the right medication through a qualified pharmacist.
Blood Pressure (BP), Diabetes and Heart Disease, these three illnesses so common yet so unknown to some people, we at Consumer Digest have put together a guide for our readers in the hope that they will get the knowledge and information that might help them live longer and healthier.
Blood Pressure
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood on the walls of the arteries when the heart beats. When measured, two readings are recorded.
The first is called the systolic pressure and represents the force of the blood as the heart contracts (beats) to pump it around the body.
The second, called the diastolic, is the pressure while the heart is filling with blood again in preparation for the next contraction or heart beat.
For most people a blood pressure reading less than 140/85mmHg is desirable. For those already at high risk of cardiovascular disease (for example people with diabetes) the normal limit is a little lower, at 130/80 mmHg.
Blood pressure changes throughout the day. In particular, it increases during exercise and decreases during sleep.
What are the symptoms?
Although high blood pressure can cause headaches, dizziness and problems with vision, the majority of people suffer no symptoms at all.
However, it can lead to heart attack, stroke and kidney damage, which is why it's important for people to have it checked every couple of years so it can be diagnosed and treated.
In 90 per cent of cases there's no specific cause of high blood pressure, but it can run in families. In around 10 per cent of cases, kidney disease, endocrine disease (for example, underactive thyroid) and drugs (such as the contraceptive pill) are found to be responsible.
Safe levels
If your blood pressure is normal then it needs to stay that way. If it's high, it needs to be brought down to a normal level. There's no cure as such for hypertension, but following a healthy lifestyle can be enough to bring blood pressure down to a normal level.
Medication is used if lifestyle changes alone fail to lower blood pressure sufficiently. Those used are safe and have few side effects.
The optimal blood pressure (sometimes referred to as the 'gold standard') targets are:
Systolic: less than 120 mmHg (2.32 psi or 15 kPa)
Diastolic: less than 80 mmHg (1.55 psi or 10 kPa)
High blood pressure - Hypertension
The diagnosis of abnormalities in blood pressure may require serial measurement. Since blood pressure varies throughout the day, measurements should be taken at the same time of day to ensure the readings taken are comparable.
Suitable times are:
immediately after awakening (before washing/dressing and taking breakfast/drink), while the body is still resting, immediately after finishing work.
Persistent hypertension is one of the risk factors for strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, arterial aneurysms, and is the leading cause of chronic renal failure.
Low blood pressure – Hypotension
Blood pressure that is too low is known as hypotension. The similarity in pronunciation with hypertension can cause confusion.
Low blood pressure may be a sign of severe disease and requires urgent medical attention.
When blood pressure and blood flow decrease beyond a certain point, the perfusion of the brain becomes critically decreased (i.e., the blood supply is not sufficient), causing lightheadedness, dizziness, weakness and fainting.
However, people who function well, while maintaining low blood pressures have lower rates of cardiovascular disease events than people with normal blood pressures.
Diabetes
Diabetes occurs because the body can't use glucose properly, either owing to a lack of the hormone insulin, or because the insulin available doesn't work effectively.
The full name 'diabetes mellitus' derives from the Greek word 'diabetes' meaning siphon - to pass through - and 'mellitus' - the Latin for honeyed or sweet. This is because not only is excess sugar found in the blood but it may also appear in the urine, hence it being known in the 17th century as the 'pissing evil'.
Diabetes has been a recognised condition for more than 3,500 years.
More than three-quarters of people with diabetes have what is called type 2 diabetes mellitus. This used to be known as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or maturity-onset diabetes mellitus.
The remainder have type 1 diabetes mellitus, which used to be known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
What's the difference?
In type 1, the body's unable to produce any insulin. This usually starts in childhood or young adulthood. It's treated with diet control and insulin injections.
In type 2, not enough insulin is produced or the insulin that is made by the body doesn't work properly. This tends to affect people as they get older, and usually appears after the age of 40.
Normal blood sugar control
The body converts glucose from food into energy. Glucose comes ready made in sweet foods such as sweets and cakes, or from starchy foods such as potatoes, pasta or bread once they're digested. The liver is also able to manufacture glucose.
Under normal circumstances, the hormone insulin, which is made by the pancreas, carefully regulates how much glucose is in the blood. Insulin stimulates cells to absorb enough glucose from the blood for the energy, or fuel, that they need. Insulin also stimulates the liver to absorb and store any glucose that's left over.
After a meal, the amount of glucose in the blood rises, and this triggers the release of insulin. When blood glucose levels fall, during exercise for example, insulin levels fall too.
A second hormone manufactured by the pancreas is called glucagon. It stimulates the liver to release glucose when it's needed, and this raises the level of glucose in the blood.
Insulin is manufactured and stored in the pancreas, which is a thin gland about 15cm (6in) long that lies crosswise behind the stomach. It's often described as being two glands in one, since in addition to making insulin it also produces enzymes that are vital for digestion of food.
These include lipase, which helps to digest fat, and amylase that helps to digest starchy foods. It also releases 'bicarbonate of soda' to neutralise any stomach acid that may otherwise damage the lining of the gut.
Diabetes Symptoms
Diabetes often goes undiagnosed because many of its symptoms seem so harmless. Recent studies indicate that the early detection of diabetes symptoms and treatment can decrease the chance of developing the complications of diabetes.
In type 1 diabetes, symptoms tend to develop rapidly, over a couple of weeks, and are more severe. In type 2 diabetes, symptoms develop slowly and are usually milder.
Common symptoms of both types of diabetes are, increased thirst, passing water frequently, especially at night, tiredness and fatigue, loss of weight, genital itching or recurrent thrush
In type 1 diabetes, less common symptoms are, cramps, constipation, blurred vision, recurrent skin infections
In type 2 diabetes, symptoms may go unnoticed for years, and only when complications of diabetes - such as foot ulceration or blurred vision occur - is diabetes diagnosed. Remember that all the symptoms may not be present. Whenever any of these symptoms arise, it's important to be tested for diabetes.
Diagnosing diabetes
Diabetes may be detected in a routine urine test where excess glucose is present. In type 1 diabetes, people often develop symptoms over a few weeks. They may feel thirsty all the time and need to urinate a lot, and they may feel tired and lose weight.
A blood test that measures the level of glucose in the blood will confirm whether or not the underlying cause is diabetes.
Excess glucose in the blood damages the blood vessels and nerves, contributing to: heart disease, strokes, kidney disease (nephropathy), impotence, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), nerve damage (neuropathy), damage to the back of the eye (retinopathy)
Uncontrolled diabetes is the commonest cause of blindness in people of working age, although treatment can prevent blindness in 90 per cent of those at risk.
Diabetes is the second most common cause of lower limb amputation, trauma being responsible for most leg amputations.
However, it's possible to minimise the risk of developing these complications by keeping diabetes under tight control. This is why it's vitally important for people with diabetes to check their glucose levels at home regularly as instructed, and to attend their hospital check-ups where blood glucose, blood pressure, kidney function, eyes and feet will be examined.
Heart Disease
One of the commonest diseases to affect the heart is coronary heart disease (CHD). It's usually caused by atherosclerosis, a build up of fatty materials within the walls of the arteries.
What is CHD?
In CHD, the arteries that supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients become narrowed by atherosclerosis. This restricts the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart, particularly during exertion when there are more demands on the heart muscle.
What are the symptoms of CHD?
The main symptom is angina, caused by insufficient oxygen reaching the heart muscle because of reduced blood flow.
Angina is a feeling of heaviness, tightness or pain in the middle of your chest that may extend to, or just affect, your arms (especially the left), neck, jaw, face, back or abdomen.
It is most often experienced during exertion - if you run for a bus, for example, or climb stairs. It may occur in cold weather, after a heavy meal, or when you're feeling stressed. It can subside once you stop what you're doing and rest, or take medication.
Other CHD symptoms
The following symptoms are by no means always owing to CHD, and could be harmless or caused by other medical conditions. However, if you experience any of them it's a good idea to make an appointment to see your doctor:
Unusual breathlessness when doing light activity or at rest, or breathlessness that comes on suddenly.
Palpitations - awareness of your heart beat or a feeling of having a rapid and unusually forceful heart beat, especially if they last for several hours or recur over several days and/or cause chest pain, breathlessness or dizziness.
Fainting - although not always a serious symptom, fainting is due to insufficient oxygen reaching the brain, so you should report it to your doctor.
Fluid retention or puffiness (the medical term is oedema) is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the tissues of the ankles, legs, lungs or abdomen, for example. Although a mild degree of ankle oedema may be quite normal - for example, on a hot day - it can be a sign that the heart isn’t pumping as well as it should (this is known as heart failure). Fluid retention in the lungs, or pulmonary oedema, can cause intense shortness of breath, and may be life-threatening.
Bluish-tinged fingernails or lips (known medically as cyanosis) can be the result of too little oxygen in the blood.
Fatigue is a common symptom of heart disease, but has numerous causes, including depression. It's always worth seeing your doctor if you feel unusually tired, especially if this is combined with symptoms that can’t be explained.
Heart attack?
Unfortunately, for many people the first indication that something’s wrong is a heart attack.
This happens when the blood supply to a part of the heart muscle is completely interrupted or stops, usually when a blood clot forms in a diseased coronary artery that's already become narrowed by atherosclerosis.
The pain of a heart attack is often severe, and is frequently described as a central, crushing type of pain - like a tight band around the chest. Unlike angina, the pain doesn't subside when you rest.
Sometimes it can be mild, and is mistaken for indigestion. Some people have a heart attack without experiencing pain.
Other heart attack symptoms include sweating, light-headedness, nausea or breathlessness which, again, aren’t alleviated by rest.
What causes CHD?
The most common cause is atherosclerosis. This is a build up of fatty materials within the walls of the arteries throughout the body, most importantly in the arteries to the tissues of the heart - the coronary arteries.
During this process, the inner lining of the arteries becomes furred with a thick, porridge-like sludge (atheroma), consisting of fatty deposits of cholesterol, cell waste and other substances.
These form raised patches on the artery wall - known as 'plaques' - that narrow the arteries, reducing the space through which blood can flow. At the same time, the blood becomes more prone to clotting.
These growing plaques may block the delivery of nutrients to the artery walls, causing the arteries throughout the circulation to lose their elasticity. In turn, this can lead to high blood pressure, which also increases the risk of CHD.
A heart attack occurs when one of the coronary arteries blocks completely. This final step usually happens when a plaque splits open for some reason, causing a blood clot to form on its surface that obstructs the flow of blood. It’s not yet understood why plaques split open, but inflammation seems to play a part.
When the supply of oxygen and nutrients is completely blocked, the heart muscle and tissue supplied by that artery dies.
Some people are particularly predisposed towards developing atherosclerosis, due to inherited genetic factors. They may have a family history of people dying at a young age from CHD.
An unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, diabetes, high blood pressure and smoking all increase the risk.
Other heart diseases
Other diseases that commonly affect the heart include:
Infection: bacterial infections are much rarer these days thanks to antibiotics, but can damage the valves of the heart as well as other tissues. Viral infections can damage the heart muscle leading to heart failure, or cause abnormal heart rhythms.
Congenital heart disease: there's a range of structural abnormalities that can develop in the heart as a baby grows in the womb. These may cause abnormal flow through the heart (for example, through a septal defect or 'hole in the heart') or through the rest of the circulation, and put excessive strain on the infant's heart after it's born.
Cardiomyopathy: this is disease of the heart muscle and may occur for many different reasons, including CHD, high blood pressure, viral infection, high alcohol intake and thyroid disease.
For many people with heart disease, there are a combination of factors that can cause problems. For example, CHD (most adults have some degree of atherosclerosis, especially if they smoke) and high blood pressure are often found together.
Key risk factors include:
Your age - It’s recognised that the risk of developing CHD increases with age. Atherosclerosis takes a long time to develop, and arteries naturally become less elastic as we age, often leading to a greater risk of high blood pressure.
Your gender - Many people think of CHD as a male problem. In fact, it accounts for the death of more women than any other disease. The female sex hormone oestrogen protects against CHD during a woman’s reproductive years by creating a more favourable balance of blood fats and contributing to the elasticity and health of arteries. After the menopause - or following a total hysterectomy in which the ovaries and uterus are removed - this natural protection can disappear.
The contraceptive pill increases a woman’s risk of clotting problems, such as thrombosis or a heart attack. Although the risk is still small, it’s considerably greater if you smoke. You should consult your doctor before taking the pill.
Your genes - If you’ve a family history of CHD or factors predisposing to it, such as high cholesterol (familial hyperlipidaemia) or blood pressure, you're more at risk.
Your ethnic background - If you’re black or Asian you’re more at risk of heart disease, although different underlying risk factors are at play for each group. If you’re Asian, you’ve a higher risk of developing diabetes, which is a risk factor. If you’re black, you’re more at risk of high blood pressure.
Diabetes - If you have diabetes you’re three times more likely to develop CHD. You’re also more likely to have silent ischaemia (painless angina or a heart attack), because diabetes can affect the nerves which send pain messages. This is especially dangerous because as the person doesn’t receive any warning that they have problems, they don’t seek help which may prevent further damage.
The Consumer Digest team advises readers to see a doctor or visit the nearest hospital if they have noticed any of the symptoms mentioned above. Do not intend to treat yourself without the professional guidance of a qualified doctor and we urge our readers to buy medication from registered pharmacies so as to be prescribed the right medication through a qualified pharmacist.
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