:: Consultation and treatment by a cardiologist specializing in heart diseases of patients with heart attack, diabetes, hypertension, women’s heart diseases, heart valve disease and heart problems of children.

Keep your heart healthy - Prevent a heart attack

Indians especially South Indians are at high risk of heart disease and develop it at an young age. With Heart Disease being the number one killer of men and women, in India, it is important to focus on early disease detection, early treatment and prevention. A heart attack causes a huge financial & emotional burden on the family.

Almost 80% of heart attacks can be prevented if you check early for the risk factors and treat them.

Who are at risk of heart attack?

If you

• Are a male>45 years
• female >55 years ( >45 years if hysterectomy was done earlier)
• smoke
• Has high sugar / high blood pressure,/ high cholesterol levels
• Has undergone hysterectomy (removal of uterus) at young age.
• Has history of heart disease in the family
• Is overweight , Lacks exercise , has high stress levels

If you have not checked any of these parameters till now

Please check if the following are normal. If any of the following is abnormal consult a doctor.

Risk Factors	Normal Level	Your Numbers
Blood pressure	Less than 120/80 mm Hg	_____/_____ mm Hg
Total cholesterol	Less than 200 mg/dL	_____ mg/dL
LDL (“Bad” cholesterol)	Less than 100 mg/dL	_____ mg/dL
HDL (“Good” cholesterol)	Greater than 50 mg/dL	_____ mg/dL
Triglycerides	Less than 150 mg/dL	_____ mg/dL
Fasting sugar	Less than 100 mg/dl	_____ mg/dL
Body mass index1 (BMI)	18.5-22.9 kg/m2	_____ kg/m2
Waist circumference2	Less than 90cm (male) 80cm (female)	_____ mg/dL

1. Body Mass Index = Weight in Kg / Height in meters
2. Waist Circumfrence= Same as your undergarment/pant size

Important screening tests recommended for heart disease prevention.

Blood Pressure (BP)

Very often high BP has no symptoms and hence cannot be detected without being measured. Half the people with high BP are not aware of it , and among those who are aware ,BP is well controlled in only about 50%.High blood pressure greatly increases the risk of heart disease , stroke and kidney failure. If your blood pressure is below 120/80 mm Hg, be sure to get it checked at least once every two years, starting at age of 20.

Cholesterol (Lipid profile)

Fasting lipid profile should be taken every five years, starting at age 20. This is a blood test that measures total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides. The test should be repeated more frequently as per the advice of your doctor if :

• The values are abnormal
• you have other cardiovascular risk factors(diabetes), / if you have had a heart attack.
• you’re a man over 45 /you’re a woman over 55( >45 years if hysterectomy was done earlier)

Body Weight

Check your height, weight, BMI& waist circumference starting from the age of 20. These measurements tell you if you’re at a healthy weight. About two of every three adults are now overweight or obese& obesity increases blood pressure, triglycerides, total and LDL cholesterol, and can induce diabetes. These risk factors increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Blood Sugar

Starting at age 30, get your blood sugar level checked at least every year.

Smoking

Smoking is the leading cause of heart attack& cancer.

Physical Activity

Start moving - Brisk walk 30 minutes daily.

Diet -Eat Heart-Healthy

• Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables,(eat a portion of fruit with every meal)
• Include whole-grain and high-fiber foods.(brown rice, beans, oats, ragi dosa),
• Eat fish at least twice a week, preferably oily fish.
• Do your best to eat less salt (sodium). Limit your daily sodium to 1500 mg
• Avoid excess of pickles, appalam, preserved foods.
• Limit use of oil. Avoid frying vegetables. Steam cook as far as possible.
• Avoid trans-fatty acids.(vanaspati, deep fried food)
• Limit pastries, sweets
• Eat a handful of nuts daily