Rising Heart Attack Cases Highlight the Urgency of Prevention and Treatment
Author- Dr Varun Bansal, Consultant CTVS, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals
Lifestyle Changes and Early Detection Can Help Reduce the Risk
The increasing prevalence of heart attacks has raised concerns about the importance of prevention and treatment strategies. Studies have shown that factors such as genetics, unhealthy lifestyles, smoking, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension contribute to the development of atherosclerotic heart disease, characterized by plaque buildup in the coronary arteries.
Lifestyle Modifications and Timely Medical Intervention are Key
To combat the risk of heart attacks, The American Heart Association recommends individuals to adopt healthy habits. This includes understanding their calorie intake to maintain a healthy weight and engaging in regular physical activity. Experts suggest aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week, spread out over several days.
In addition to lifestyle changes, it is crucial to detect and diagnose heart diseases early. Recognizing changes in exercise or work capacity and seeking medical guidance promptly can help prevent complications. Simple tests like ECG and blood tests aid in the diagnosis of heart attacks. Furthermore, CT coronary angiograms can detect coronary artery disease even before a heart attack occurs, without requiring hospitalization.
Advancements in Treatment Improve Patient Outcomes
Treatment options for heart attacks have significantly improved due to medical and technological advancements. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) enables safe coronary stenting, even in challenging areas of diseased arteries. In cases where surgery is necessary, robotic technology has made procedures like coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) safer and less invasive. Patients undergoing robotic-assisted CABG have demonstrated quicker recovery and a reduced need for ICU stays.
Importance of Prevention and Secondary Prevention
Preventing heart attack complications involves both primary and secondary prevention. Primary prevention focuses on reducing the risk factors before an event occurs, while secondary prevention aims to prevent complications and future heart attacks. Awareness about early detection, available treatment options, and timely intervention are essential components of secondary prevention.
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