From the first second we hear the heartbeat, that is what indicates the life of a person. Therefore, the heart is an important organ that should be taken care of, not just so we can hear the heartbeat for as long as possible, but so that the heartbeat remains rhythmical and regular, indicating good health.
Understanding Heart Disease
Heart disease (Heart Attack) ranks within the top 3 causes of death in Thailand and continues to show an increasing trend in statistics every year. This is due to changing lifestyles full of rush and stress, a shift towards consuming more Western-style fast foods, eating less vegetables and fish, including factors like smoking, obesity, or lack of exercise. These are major factors contributing to heart disease among Thais, especially coronary artery disease.
The best way to prevent coronary artery disease is to avoid various risk factors and to regularly check health with a specialist, especially for those who are entering the age of 40 – 50 years. If it is found that there are conditions of high fats, sugars, or blood pressure, health care or lifestyle adjustments must be made because some may not show warning symptoms of the disease but can still be at risk of heart failure or what is called a Silent Heart Attack.
Heart Disease Warning Signs
For those suspecting heart disease, it can be observed from chest pain, which might occur occasionally as a sharp pain in the chest and may radiate to the neck, the left arm, or cause pain in the jaw or back. These symptoms warn that it’s time to see a cardiologist.
For those with severe symptoms, such as very tight chest pain as if a rock is pressing on it, or chronic chest pain, these are clear symptoms that the blood supply to the heart is insufficient and is on the verge of heart failure, which requires immediate medical attention.
Heart Tips For a Longer Life Free of Heart Disease
To live a long life free from heart disease, there are 7 practices:
- Avoid smoking, tea, coffee, and intoxicating substances
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain a normal weight
- Control mind and emotions to avoid stress
- Keep blood pressure, sugar levels, and cholesterol within normal ranges
- Change eating habits, eat low-fat foods, consume more fruits and vegetables high in fiber, avoid fried or oily foods
- Regularly visit a doctor for physical examinations to prevent and treat heart disease as well as to maintain good quality of life
As Thais are at an increasing risk of heart disease, diagnosis and care require more specialized physicians. Bangkok Heart Hospital offers state-of-the-art technology for patient services, from diagnosis using 3-Tesla MRI technology or the 256-Slice CT Scan for the highest speed computer imaging, to the most advanced sterile operating rooms from Germany, and surgical methods that do not use artificial heart-lung machines (Off-Pump CABG), which are performed while the heart is still beating, reducing the risks associated with surgery. Patients can also recover quickly, and comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation services are available.
Pay attention… take care of your heart from today, so the rhythm that signifies good health remains with us for a long time, free from heart diseases.”
