Diseases known as cardiovascular disease (CVD) are caused by a disruption in the normal functioning of the heart and blood vessels and can have irreversible effects on a person’s health, including conditions such as stroke.
An acute disruption of blood flow to the brain, called a stroke, results in damage and death of nerve cells.
The high prevalence of the disease dictates the need for preventive examinations, and courses of treatment. Regular preventive examination by a cardiologist allows you to promptly identify the disease and choose the most optimal treatment. In most developed countries, regular visits to a cardiologist are part of the general culture.
In countries practicing this approach, a significant reduction in mortality from stroke and heart attack has been achieved.
Symptoms of stroke and heart attack
The first symptoms of a stroke are:
- weakness, numbness in an arm or leg (when trying to raise both arms – one will drop down)
- when trying to smile, one corner of the mouth will droop down.
- slurred speech (a person cannot clearly answer a question)
The first symptoms of a heart attack:
- pain or discomfort behind the sternum of a pressing nature that lasts for more than 5 minutes
- pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw, upper abdomen.
- difficulty breathing and shortness of breath
- Cold sweat and pallor of the face
What can be done for stroke prevention?
Proper diet
A balanced diet low in salt, sugar and fat is critical to maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system. This diet should include plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, legumes and fish.
Regular physical activity
Regular physical activity, at least half an hour daily, is necessary to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system; physical activity for one hour several times a week helps maintain a healthy weight.
Sleep decreases the likelihood of stroke
The risk of heart attack and stroke increases with lack of sleep. Sleep deprivation not only causes problems for the body, leading to obesity and metabolic disorders, but also affects the condition of the vascular walls.
Stress levels
Stress causes the release of adrenaline, which causes blood vessels to spasm and speeds up the heart. As a result, blood pressure rises, which can provoke poor circulation and even a blood clot.
Abstaining from tobacco use
Any form of tobacco, be it cigarettes, cigars, pipes or chewing tobacco, is very harmful to your health. In addition, secondhand smoke is also dangerous. Once you stop smoking, your risk of developing a heart attack or stroke immediately decreases, and after a year, it can drop by 50%.
Blood pressure control
Hypertension is the culprit in 99 percent of cases of developing cerebral hemorrhage. Thus, blood pressure needs to be controlled. To achieve this, it is essential to have a personalized blood pressure monitor. In the morning after waking up, at lunchtime and in the evening before going to bed, it is necessary to record the results in a diary, noting the date and the values obtained.
Control of cardiac arrhythmias
Blood clots that form in the heart cavity and on its valves in some diseases can escape into the general bloodstream and block the lumen of brain vessels. The risk of this increases if there is a heart rhythm disorder – arrhythmias. Patients belonging to the risk group must undergo ECG (electrocardiography) once every six months.
Checking blood sugar levels
The risk of developing circulatory disorders in the brain increases due to changes in the vascular wall in diabetes mellitus. Therefore, it is extremely important to conduct regular blood glucose checks – once every six months if there are no symptoms, and strictly follow the scheme suggested by the doctor if the diagnosis has already been made.
Can a healthy lifestyle help to avoid heart attack and stroke?
A healthy diet, avoidance of bad habits and a healthy lifestyle will significantly reduce the likelihood of a vascular accident. However, this will not completely protect, as individual risk factors are important, such as the presence of cardiovascular disease in the patient’s close relatives and comorbidities in the patient himself.
In addition, it should be remembered that while heart attacks and strokes always occur suddenly, they never happen without a definite cause. Moreover, the underlying cause lies in cardiovascular disorders that are often insufficiently controlled.
What is a “silent” heart attack and how dangerous is it?
It is important to remember that a heart attack can be “silent”, that is, without symptoms. It is not accompanied by severe chest pain or a feeling of tightness. Older people, people with diabetes and people with mental health problems are more likely to have silent heart attacks. They account for about a quarter of all heart attacks.
The person thinks everything will be fine and does not call an ambulance, which is the biggest danger of a silent heart attack.
There should be extra caution and awareness that heart attacks do not always run their course normally. The symptoms of a “silent” heart attack are difficult to identify. They may include mild discomfort or burning behind the sternum, sudden shortness of breath, unexplained weakness, loss of consciousness, numbness in the arms or lower jaw, discomfort between the shoulder blades, pain in the upper abdomen, cold sweats, nausea and vomiting.
The main risk of a silent heart attack is that it is diagnosed late or not diagnosed at all, and that the patient does not receive proper treatment.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that you think you are completely healthy, you need to check your health and visit your doctor regularly. At least once a year, you should visit a cardiologist and undergo an electrocardiogram. This will allow you to keep control of your situation and respond when needed. Your doctor may also prescribe medications to help prevent a heart attack.
Secondary prevention involves more frequent visits to the cardiologist and treatment, which is prescribed to each patient individually depending on their personality and the severity of the disease.
