National Heart Month reminds us of the risks of heart disease and cardiovascular problems and the present solutions available today.
Heart Health During Pandemic
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA - AUGUST 14: Blood Bank doctor Santiago Grass takes blood pressure to a man, who recovered from COVID-19, and donates plasma on August 14, 2020 in Bogota, Colombia. A group of researchers from the Institute of Science, Biotechnology and Innovation in Health (IDCBIS) work on a treatment with convalescent plasma to test its effectiveness, which is now 80%, on COVID-19 active patients. Positive coronavirus cases continue to grow rapidly in Colombia, according to the Ministry of Health there are more than 430,000 cases and registers over 14,100 deaths.
The American Heart Association said that the pandemic has severely affected the country's risk of heart disease and stroke. According to the organization's reports, one in five individuals had lower physical wellness and one in three individuals had lower emotional well-being.
The pandemic restrictions also resulted in people exercising less, adopting unhealthy diets, and consuming more tobacco and alcohol. All of these unhealthy behaviors increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
COVID-19 patients with mild cases were also inflicted with brain and heart problems due to the corresponding effects of the coronavirus.
Key Risk Factors of Developing Heart Disease
Heart disease and other cardiovascular issues, such as heart attack and stroke, could be developed in a wide range of populations. These problems could be induced by family history, age, and lifestyle.
Key risk factors could also heighten the risk of developing heart disease. Conditions related to the progression of heart problems include obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Smoking and a high intake of bad cholesterols are also risk factors that could make heart health vulnerable to illnesses.
A study led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, titled "Prevalence of Uncontrolled Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease: United States, 1999-2010," revealed that nearly half (47 percent) of US citizens had at least one of three risk factors, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and smoking.
Staying physically active, having a balanced diet, good stress management, and good night's sleep could help keep the risk of severe heart diseases at a lower rate.
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How to Prevent Cardiovascular Diseases
This year, the American Heart Association presented a project called Reclaim Your Rhythm to take back the control of overall health against heart conditions. According to a report by ABC4, the project recommends four simple concepts that would benefit people's lifestyle and prevention from cardiovascular problems.
1. Manage stress. A positive mindset could help people live longer and be productive in their health routines. Managing stress is important as it could lead to unhealthy behaviors.
According to a study published in the journal Circulation, titled "Psychological Health, Well-Being, and the Mind-Heart-Body Connection: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association," individuals with higher optimism had 35 percent decreased risk of cardiovascular problems and a 14 percent decreased risk of all-cause mortality.
2. Be active. Physical activities such as exercise are correlated to the improvement of heart health.
3. Family Meals. Regular family meals are effective at reducing stress. It could also be a gateway for children to eat more healthy foods.
4. Monitoring blood pressure. Half of the US citizens have high blood pressure, 75 percent of them do not have it controlled, and many others are not aware that they have it. It is recommended to monitor your blood pressure levels.
Warning Signs of Heart Attack and Stroke
Heart attack and stroke are the most common and most dangerous cardiovascular issues.
Heart attack symptoms include prolonged chest discomfort, shortness of breath without chest discomfort, and an uncomfortable upper body. Cold sweats, nausea, and lightheadedness are also signs of a heart attack.
On the other hand, stroke has warning signs such as weakness of one side of the body, speech difficulty, and face numbness.
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