World Heart Day 2022

Empowering women in their 40s to lead a Healthy lifestyle!

The word "Heart" states the emotions of love, compassion, joy, fulfilment, etc.

Although functioning of this organ has nothing to do with such emotions.

One thinks from their mind, i.e., brain, but upon showing compassion, one is called "full of heart" & if not, then called "heartless," perhaps because this is the first organ of our body to be functional when we are inside our mother's womb & 4 weeks old.

Heart disease & diseases of arteries & veins (cardiovascular disease or CVD) are the leading cause of death across the globe.

As long as acquired diseases of the heart are concerned, especially heart artery blockages (which cause angina & heart attack), males are more afflicted.

However, it is the leading cause of death in women. The severity of the arterial blockages is more in women as they have arteries smaller in diameter than men.

Surprisingly, women in India are almost equally susceptible to CVD as men. Research says that 3 in 5 women in India are at high risk of CVD around their 40s.

So, it is imperative to know the causes so that women can check on the prevalence of this disease, thereby preventing suffering & death.

Causes:

1. Overweight

2. Less amount of good cholesterol (HDL)

3. Smoking

4. Diabetes

5. High blood pressure

Dos & Don'ts for a healthy heart:

1. Do not ignore symptoms and signs like Chest pain, Chest discomfort, Palpitation, breathlessness during exertion.

2. Consult Cardiologist for regular heart checkups.

3. Eat low-fat, vegetarian food full of fibers.

4. Intake of tea & coffee should be less.