This is How You Can Keep Your Heart Healthy

Overview

Cardiovascular diseases can be described as diseases that block the arteries and suppress the blood flow. A heart attack is one of the most prevailing cardiovascular diseases. Thrombosis, congenital heart diseases, and coronary heart diseases, etc. are also a few on the list.

You must know the early symptoms of heart attack and other diseases as well to circumvent any major problem.

There are certain signs to know that your heart is unhealthy. For instance, there are some early symptoms that may indicate a heart attack. Some of the typical heart attack symptoms are sensations in the chest or arms, breathlessness, chest pain, neck, back or jaw, cold sweating, fatigue, and sudden dizziness. When you see such heart attack symptoms, take immediate action.

Elderly people are at a higher risk of suffering from the same and related diseases because of low energy and more age.

To avoid such heart attack symptoms, you may involve yourself in various physical activities like walking, yoga, meditation, cycling, etc. Also, ensure that you eat healthy as well. Drink enough water through the day unless your doctor has asked you to limit fluids, which is common in heart failure and kidney disease.

Moreover, don’t ignore even a single symptom like chest pain, cold sweat, fatigue, etc.

As a precautionary measure for the above-mentioned heart attack symptoms, let’s understand what you can do if anyone in your family or the neighbourhood shows heart attack symptoms. Though your first step should be to call an ambulance or paramedics, here are a few things that will help the patient.

• If the patient is unconscious, make them lie down comfortably. It may relieve the patient from chest pain
• Loosen up the clothes quickly
• If the patient has been prescribed Nitroglycerin tablets in the past, help them consume it in the right dosage
• If the patient isn’t allergic to aspirin, ask them to chew it immediately
• Practice CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation), if you are trained

At times, traffic or roadblocks may affect the timely arrival of the ambulance which may worsen the situation of chest pain or heart attack. To overcome any mishap, you may contact Emoha Elder Care’s Emergency Responder Team (ERT). As soon as you contact, our bike responders comprising of a paramedic nurse and ex-defence personnel will reach the emergency spot at the earliest.

Emoha’s ERT is trained to attend to accidents, perform CPR, and offer first-aid to the patient. They will provide the necessary medication for chest pain and ensure that the patient is in better condition. They also look after a timely arrival at the hospital.

To know more about this service of Emoha, call on our helpline at 1800-123-445555.

What to do next

Prevention is a set of small daily habits, not a single big change.

• Know your numbers: blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, checked at least once a year and more often if they are high; see hypertension home care guide.
• Move daily: a 20 to 30 minute walk, chair exercises or gentle yoga on most days.
• Eat for your heart: more vegetables, pulses, fruit and whole grains; less salt, sweets and deep-fried snacks; see nutrition for heart health after 60.
• Stop tobacco in any form, and keep alcohol low or none.
• Sleep and stress: regular sleep, some company every day and time for something enjoyable.
• Take medicines regularly, even when you feel well.

If someone may be having a heart attack

Call 112 first, then follow the ambulance team's advice. While waiting: keep the person calm and seated or lying comfortably, loosen tight clothes, and if the person is not allergic and a doctor has not advised against it, chewing one aspirin is commonly advised. Use any heart tablet the doctor has prescribed for such an event as directed. If the person stops breathing and you are trained, start CPR. Do not give food or drink, and do not let the person walk about.

Plan for the minutes that matter

Traffic can delay an ambulance, so write down the nearest hospital with a cardiac unit, keep a bag ready, and make sure a neighbour or relative knows where the medicine list is. See emergency plan for seniors.

When to ask a professional

See a doctor for chest discomfort on effort, unexplained tiredness, swollen ankles, breathlessness when lying flat, or dizziness. Never wait to see whether symptoms pass.