The heart pumps blood to every part of the body at all times, and the heart itself also needs a blood supply through vessels called the "coronary arteries." Whenever these vessels start to develop problems, the heart's function is affected as well.
Understanding the disease and its causes
The most common heart condition is "coronary artery disease," which occurs when fat, cholesterol and other deposits gradually build up along the walls of the coronary arteries over many years, narrowing the vessels so that less blood reaches the heart muscle. When the heart is starved of blood, symptoms appear, and if a fatty plaque ruptures and forms a clot that suddenly blocks the artery, it becomes an "acute heart attack" that can be life-threatening.
The major risk factors that make the coronary arteries deteriorate faster include:
- High blood pressure — damages the vessel walls and accelerates their deterioration
- Diabetes — chronically high blood sugar damages blood vessels throughout the body
- High blood lipids — especially LDL, which drives the build-up of fatty plaque
- Smoking — one of the most severe and common risk factors
- Obesity and excess weight, often accompanied by diabetes and high lipids
- Chronic stress and lack of exercise
Symptoms to watch for
Symptoms of heart disease may develop gradually or come on suddenly. Common symptoms that should not be ignored include:
- Chest tightness, like a heavy weight pressing down, often on exertion and easing with rest
- Unusual tiredness and shortness of breath, even with light activity
- Palpitations, irregular heartbeat, light-headedness, fainting
- Swelling of the legs or feet, together with breathlessness when lying flat
Some people, especially those with diabetes, may have less obvious symptoms — which is an important reason to have your heart checked periodically, even when you feel well.
Complications
If the coronary arteries are allowed to narrow further without care, it can lead to serious complications such as an acute heart attack, heart failure causing chronic breathlessness and swelling, dangerous heart rhythm disturbances, as well as stroke — since the risk factors for coronary and cerebral blood vessels are the same group.
Signs of an acute heart attack — call an ambulance immediately
If you have these symptoms, do not wait to see how they develop — call 1669 or rush to the nearest hospital right away, because every minute counts for saving life and preserving heart muscle.
- Severe chest tightness lasting more than 15–20 minutes that does not improve with rest
- Pain radiating to the arm (usually the left arm), jaw, neck or back
- Sweating, cold clammy skin, light-headedness, nausea, palpitations
- Shortness of breath, unusually severe breathlessness, or loss of consciousness
Preventing and caring for your heart
A strong heart starts with looking after your risk factors day to day. These steps are realistic and effective.
- Control your risk factors — have your blood pressure, diabetes and lipids checked and kept within target, as advised by your doctor
- Choose heart-healthy foods — cut down on fried, fatty, very salty and very sweet food, and add more vegetables, fruit and fish
- Exercise regularly — brisk walking or moderate-intensity exercise for at least 150 minutes a week
- Quit smoking and limit alcohol, get enough rest, and manage stress
- Have your heart checked periodically — especially if you have risk factors or are aged 35 and over
Get your heart checked at Doctor Chat Clinic
Our clinic is run by a doctor and offers health check-ups, blood tests for sugar and lipid levels, electrocardiograms (EKG) and ultrasound, helping to assess your risk and detect heart abnormalities early, along with advice on caring for yourself appropriately.