Awareness of Heart Attacks

All body cells require blood that carries oxygen to stay alive (vital). A heart attack occurs when the balance between blood supply and demand is disrupted.

Symptoms may include:

• Chest pain or left arm pain.
• Pain can also radiate from the right shoulder, left arm, or even both arms.
• Shortness of breath in diabetic patients
• Nausea Indigestion in the chest
• Discomfort in the chest
• Cold sweat

If symptoms only occur occasionally, things that can be done include:

• Consultation and EKG/Heart recording examination
• Echocardiography (Heart ultrasound)
• Exercise test / Treadmill
• Coronary angiography:
  • Heart CT Scan
  • Cardiac catheterization

Cardiac catheterization is useful for:

• Viewing and assessing heart or coronary blood vessels.
• If there is narrowing or blockage, it can be followed by intervention or opening the narrowing or blockage vessel with a balloon, and to prevent re-narrowing, a stent or ring can be inserted.

When is catheterization necessary?

1. There are symptoms (chest pain/shortness of breath) or signs of coronary heart disease due to narrowing so that the heart's oxygen is insufficient.
2. Heart attack/myocardial infarction or death of heart muscle due to blockage of blood vessels.

How to keep the heart healthy?

1. Avoid smoking and tobacco
2. Be physically active every day
3. Eat healthy foods/healthy diet
4. Maintain ideal body weight
5. Maintain stable/normal blood pressure
6. Maintain healthy cholesterol levels
7. Maintain normal blood sugar levels

A healthy diet includes:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Grains
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Fish (especially those with omega-3 fatty acids), skinless poultry, and other plant-based alternatives
• Fat-free and low-fat dairy products
• Healthier fats

Healthy diet tips:

• Choose wisely
• Compare nutrition information on the label and choose products with the lowest amount of salt, sugar, saturated fat, and trans fat.
• Especially avoid hydrogenated oil.
• Watch calorie intake.
• To maintain weight, only consume as much as is used in physical activity.
• Appropriate food portions Eat a variety of foods to meet the body's nutritional needs
• Prepare and eat healthy food at home that easier to control the content.

Physical activity:

Physical activity is any activity that makes you move your body and burn calories.

Exercise:

Benefits of exercise:

• Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and stroke
• Reduced risk of lower digestive and breast cancer
• Reduced risk of diabetes
• Reduced risk of osteoporosis
• Reduced risk of depression and dementia
• Reduced body fat
• Improved metabolic processes
• Improved joint and muscle movement 
• Improved oxygen transport to the body 
• Improved sense of well-being 
• Improved strength and endurance.

Body Mass Index (BMI) : Body weight divided by (height)² = kg/m2 

Categories for the Asia Pacific region: 

• ≤18.5 = underweight
• 18.5-22.9 = normal
• 23-24.9 = pre-obese
• ≥25 = obese

Realistic Weight Loss:

• Gradual and continuous weight loss of 0.5-1 kg per week is more successful in maintaining weight stability.
• Even a 5-10% reduction in total body weight can result in improvements in blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugar.
• To lose 0.5 kg/week, daily calorie intake must be reduced by 500 calories (= 3500 calories/week).

Blood Pressure:

Target:

• Systolic Blood Pressure < 140 mmHg
• Diastolic Blood Pressure < 90 mmHg

Blood pressure targets will be lower in individuals with:

• Diabetes mellitus
• Kidney disease

Stress Management:

• Positive talking
• Prayer
• Engaging in hobbies
• Exercise

Dr. Denio A. Ridjab, Sp.JP, FESC, FIHA.