SUDDEN DEATH: THE STOP ACTIONS

• 

The cardiovascular or circulatory system supplies the body with blood. It consists of the heart, arteries, veins and capillaries. Cardiovascular diseases are now the most common cause of death in the world. Some vascular diseases as well as diseases and conditions that affect the heart include:

1. Peripheral artery disease which causes arteries to become narrow and reduces blood flow to the limbs
2. Atherosclerosis in which plaque forms along the walls of blood vessels, narrowing them and restricting the flow of oxygen-rich blood
3. Aneurysm which is a bulge or enlargement in an artery that can rupture and bleed
4. Renal artery disease which affects the flow of blood to and from the kidneys and can lead to high blood pressure
5. Angina is a type of chest pain that occurs due to decreased blood flow into the heart
6. Arrhythmia or an irregular heartbeat or heart rhythm
7. Congenital heart disease is where a problem with heart function or structure is present from birth
8. Coronary artery disease which affects the arteries that feed the heart muscle
9. Heart attack or a sudden blockage to the heart’s blood flow and oxygen supply
10. Heart failure where the heart cannot contract or relax normally
11. Dilated cardiomyopathy, a type of heart failure in which the heart gets larger and cannot pump blood efficiently
12. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in which the heart muscle walls thicken and problems with relaxation of the muscle, blood flow, and electrical instability develop
13. Mitral regurgitation in which blood leaks back through the mitral valve of the heart during contractions
14. Pulmonary stenosis in which a narrowing of the pulmonary artery reduces blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery
15. Aortic stenosis which is a narrowing of the heart valve that can cause blockage to blood flow leaving the heart
16. Atrial fibrillation is an irregular rhythm that can increase the risk of stroke
    

CVD can cause symptoms anywhere in the body but some common symptoms of an underlying cardiovascular issue include pain or pressure in the chest, pain or discomfort in the arms, left shoulder, elbows, jaw, or back, shortness of breath, nausea and fatigue, cold sweats and lightheadedness or dizziness. However, do not be discouraged as there are many ways to reduce the risk of developing them as well as many treatment options if they do occur. Treatment is usually aimed at relieving symptoms, reducing the risk of the condition or disease recurring or getting worse, and preventing complications such as heart failure, stroke, heart attack or death. Treatment options for a person will depend on their specific CVD but some options include medication, surgery, and cardiac rehabilitation including exercise prescriptions and lifestyle counseling. For CVDs that are preventable, an excellent way to deal with them is to take preventive measures some of which include;

1. Get regular exercise: Sadly, it isn’t farfetched to say that the average person pays no attention to the importance of regular exercise. It has been recommended that a person should do 150 minutes of moderate-to-intense exercise every week such as cycling, jogging or brisk walking.
2. Stop smoking: Smoking in all its forms is harmful. Harmful substances found in tobacco can damage and narrow the blood vessels. Smoking is a risk factor for almost all forms of CVD. If you smoke, you should try to give up as soon as possible, this can drastically reduce its damaging effects on your heart.
3. Eating a healthy, balanced diet: A healthy, balanced diet is highly recommended if you want your heart to be healthy. A healthy, balanced diet should include low levels of saturated fat (this can be achieved by avoiding cakes, biscuits, cream and fatty cuts of meat, and eating healthier sources of fat such as oily fish, nuts and seeds, and olive oil); low levels of salt; low levels of sugar; lots of fiber and wholegrain foods; lots of fruits and vegetables daily.
4. Cut down on alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption can increase a person’s cholesterol and blood pressure levels as well as contribute to weight gain. If you don’t drink, don’t start. If you drink, begin to reduce your intake, working toward ultimately stopping. You may start by trying not to exceed the recommended limit of 14 alcohol units a week for men and women (a unit of alcohol is roughly equivalent to 25ml of spirits) and while doing this, aim to spread your drinking over 3 days or more.
5. Maintain a healthy weight: If you are overweight or obese, immediately consult with your health care provider to formulate a weight loss plan which usually involves an exercise and diet plan, to get you down to a healthy weight. The goal will be to get your body mass index (BMI) below 25. Managing your body weight contributes to reducing your risk of developing CVD.
6. Medication: A person who has a family history of CVD also has an increased risk of developing CVD. You are said to have a family history of CVD if your father or brother were diagnosed with CVD before they were 55, or your mother or sister were diagnosed with CVD before they were 65. If a person has a particularly high risk of developing CVD due to family history or other factors, their health care provider may recommend taking certain medication to reduce their risk. Some of the recommended medication may include medication to lower blood cholesterol levels, prevent blood clots and reduce blood pressure.
7. Regular check-ups: Going for regular check-ups is very important. This allows your health care provider to be up-to-date on the state of your health. It isn’t wise to see your doctor only when something is wrong. A lot of life-threatening conditions can be avoided or easily treated if discovered early. Not all disease conditions have obvious symptoms, and others show symptoms only after they have worsened. It is impossible for us to know what goes on inside our bodies without seeking proper advice from the experts. Regular check-up, as simple as it may seem, actually saves lives.