There are several factors that pose a threat to the normal functioning of the heart which is one of the most important organs of the body. It is vital to take note of the risk factors in view of the stealth nature of heart ailments. Heart related diseases do not occur all of a sudden; they are the consequences of years and years of unhealthy practices and unattended risk factors.
Heart diseases or cardiovascular diseases claim close to 18 million lives each year. As per the WHO data, one-third of the deaths due to heart diseases occur prematurely in people less than 70 years of age.
Health experts have discussed several risk factors which are responsible for the growing cases of young people getting heart attacks.
Experts at John Hopkins say stress can cause inflammation which is not good for the heart. Stress can increase the blood pressure which is lethal to heart health. Many other complications like lack of exercise, sleeplessness, and obesity which are dangerous to the heart stem from stress.
Lack of sleep
Less sleep is the root cause of several health related issues and one of them is heart issues. Lack of sleep or insomnia is linked to high blood pressure. An individual experiences this mostly due to stress. In order to maintain good sleeping hours one has to follow a healthy lifestyle like eating early, reading a book before going to bed, and following bedtime.
Excessive alcohol consumption
Excessive consumption of alcohol can lead to high blood pressure and increases the risk of heart attack or even heart failure. Apart from this risk, alcohol consumption can increase the weight of an individual which is again another potential risk factor for heart disease.
Overweight
Weight is the perfect example of how years of mindless eating and not keeping track of a lifestyle can affect you in a massive way. Health experts have always warned us to keep an eye on the weight. Overweight makes an individual prone to several complications like diabetes, blood pressure, osteoarthritis, fatty liver disease, sleep apnea among others.
Smoking
Smoking increases the risk of formation of plaques in blood vessels. As a result of this deposition, the arteries that carry blood to the heart get narrowed down. The chemicals used in smoking items like cigarettes are also known to thicken blood and cause clots. When clots are formed the flow of blood to the heart is restricted.
The other risk factors are:
Family history: One who has a family history of heart diseases is more likely to suffer from one.
High blood cholesterol: High cholesterol level in the blood increases the risk of plaque formation in blood vessels.
Poor diet: Unhealthy eating habits can make the heart unhealthy.
Age: Risk of heart disease increases with age
Male gender: Men are said to be more prone to heart disease
Diabetes: People with diabetes are more prone to heart problems.
What are the symptoms one should be careful about?
Heart diseases have the following symptoms: Breathlessness, Chest pain, Tightness in chest, Pain in arms, neck, jaw, upper abdomen, Dizziness, Irregular heart beat
