Dr Ramji Mehrotra:- Tips for a Healthy

Heart
The heart is the most important muscle in the human body as it pumps blood and oxygen to
all organs. Heart disease is a major cause of death in people across the world. Hence,
everyone needs to be aware of heart disease, the common symptoms to watch out for, and
the necessary precautions to avoid it.

Common Types of Heart Disease

Dr Ramji Mehrotra state that, the most common type of heart disease is coronary
heart disease or coronary
artery disease. In this, arteries
become clogged with plaque.
As arteries supply blood to the
heart, the blood supply
reduces, causing the heart to
receive less oxygen and
nutrients. This causes the risk
of heart failure.

Congenital heart defects are

those that are present from
birth. Some of the common
congenital heart defects are
abnormal heart valves, septal
defects, or atresia.

Arrhythmia pertains to an
irregular heartbeat. In this, the
heart beats erratically because
the electric impulses
coordinating the heartbeat
don’t work properly.
Arrhythmia includes among
others, tachycardia or rapid heartbeat, bradycardia or slow heartbeat, and atrial
fibrillation or irregular heartbeat.
Symptoms of Heart Disease
Some of the common problems that could indicate heart disease include:

 Chest pain or discomfort

 Dizziness
 Breathlessness
 Pain in the arms, legs, or back
 Sweating
 Loud Snoring
 Heart palpitations, etc.

People who are obese or suffering

from diabetes, high blood pressure,
and high cholesterol are at greater
risk for heart attacks and should get a
regular medical check-up done.

Maintaining Heart Health

According to Dr Ramji Mehrotra, who is a well-known cardiac surgeon, it is essential to have

a healthy lifestyle and take adequate precautions to maintain a healthy heart. Some of the
important tips to take care of the heart are:
  Avoid smoking: Smoking is extremely bad for the heart and is a major cause of
coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease. Avoiding smoking and tobacco
makes a great difference to not only the heart but also to overall health too.
 Avoid sedentary lifestyle: Sedentary lifestyle often leads to overweight, which
causes several health risks. Excess weight around the waistline is specifically
dangerous to heart health. Being physically active will reduce the risk of heart disease.
 Exercise regularly: Regular exercise not only helps in weight reduction and
maintaining good health but also positively influences the heart rate variability, which
is an indicator of heart health.
 Reduce saturated fat consumption: Foods with high saturated fats increase the
level of cholesterol in the blood and, consequently, raise the risk of heart disease. It
is advisable to consume foods like vegetables, nuts, and fish with omega-3 fatty acids,
which reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol. Studies have shown that
this can reduce the risk of dying from heart disease by more than one-third.
 Reduce salt in the diet: Reducing salt intake is essential to maintain the right blood
pressure and significantly reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. For good health,
the average adult should consume less than 6 grams of salt or about a teaspoon per
day.
 Reduce alcohol intake: Drinking alcohol excessively impacts weight, which can
cause health issues and risk to the wellbeing of the heart.
 Sleep adequately: Getting good sleep and adequate rest is very essential for the
human body. Sleep lowers blood pressure and heart rate. Sleep-deprived people are
at a greater risk of cardiovascular disease. Hence, getting proper sleep is not a luxury
but a necessity.

Conclusion

Considering the criticality of the heart functioning in the human body, taking proper care of
the heart is vital for overall wellbeing. Though heart disease is a leading cause of mortality,
adopting a healthy lifestyle can prevent it to a great extent.