Why is high blood pressure dangerous?
Higher the blood pressure, higher is the risk of damage to the heart and blood vessels in major organs such as the kidney and brain.
Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to an enlargement of the heart, heart attack, and eventually heart failure. Hypertension can also lead to blindness, stroke, and kidney failure.
How to prevent high blood pressure?
High blood pressure can be prevented and controlled by maintaining a healthy diet.
Reduce your salt intake. Increase the intake of vegetables and fruits. Avoid saturated fats.
Engage yourself in moderate exercises. Aim for a minimum of thirty minutes of aerobic activity, such as brisk walks for five days a week.
Avoid and stop smoking and other tobacco products and avoid alcohol abuse.
Reduce stress levels by engaging with fun activities and meditation.
If advised medications, please take them regularly.
Does erratic sleep over the long run lead to a potential heart attack? Are the professionals working night shifts at a higher risk of a heart attack?
Yes. Every individual needs at least 6-8 hours of undisturbed sleep. Studies have shown that working night shift meddles with the body’s circadian rhythm, putting it under stress and making it more susceptible to heart problems like irregular heartbeats and heart attack.
What is heart failure?
Heart failure is a condition in which your heart is not pumping normally and is unable to deliver oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. It does not mean the heart has stopped working. It means that it is working at lower efficiency. The heart muscle is either too weak and cannot pump blood to the rest of the body with enough force (systolic failure) and/or has trouble relaxing and becomes stiff (diastolic failure). This causes a build-up of fluid (congestion) in the lungs, feet, and other body tissues. This generally develops slowly but can also present very rapidly.
What is valvular heart disease?
The heart’s valves keep blood flowing through the heart in the right direction. But a range of conditions can result in valvular damage. Valves may narrow (stenosis), not close properly (prolapse) or leak (regurgitation or insufficiency). This can cause your body to be disrupted by the blood flow through your heart.
Is there a link between blood sugar and heart attack?
Anything in excess or deficiency is a problem. The same applies to blood sugar. High blood sugar levels can increase the risk of heart diseases like heart attack and heart failure. Low blood sugar (Hypoglycaemia) can precipitate arrhythmias and heart attacks. Long term uncontrolled blood sugar can lead to blocks in the peripheral arteries like in the brain, legs, and abdomen.
Is there a link between obesity and heart disease?
Yes. Being overweight and obese can cause a high risk of multiple heart problems. It can lead to high blood pressure. Excess weight also increases the chance of atherosclerosis (cholesterol deposits in the arteries causing blocks), abnormal heart rhythms, heart attacks and significantly increases the risk of heart failure.
What is a seizure?
A Seizure is a condition in which sudden, uncontrolled electrical irregularity occurs in our brain. It may cause changes in behavior, movements or feelings, and levels of consciousness.
What is epilepsy?
Patients having two or more seizures or a tendency to have recurrent seizures, are termed to be having epilepsy.
How long do seizures usually last?
Usually, a seizure may last from a few seconds to a few minutes, based on the type of seizure.
What are the major types of seizures?
Sometimes it is difficult to determine when a person is having a seizure. A person with a seizure may look confused or as if they are staring at something that is not there. Other seizures can cause a person to fall, shake, and become unaware of what’s going on around them.
Seizures are classified into two groups.
Generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain.
Focal seizures affect just one area of the brain. These seizures are also called partial seizures.
