Beat the Odds: Put your heart first with Aster

Cardiovascular health is a concern that can affect people of any age, not just the elderly. Factors such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, excess weight, smoking, poor diet, and lack of exercise can increase the risk of heart disease over time. Even in young, seemingly healthy individuals who work long hours, sit for long periods, consume unhealthy foods, and experience chronic stress, cardiovascular risk can build up gradually.

Family history and underlying risk factors can also contribute to this risk, even if they are not immediately apparent.

Dr Mangesh Dande, a Specialist Cardiologist at Aster Clinic in Al Warqa, emphasizes that heart health is not determined by appearance or activity level. He stresses that knowing one's blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels, understanding family history, and addressing any concerns early on can help identify risk factors before they become more serious.

Dr Sreeram Gopalakrishnan, a Specialist Cardiologist at Aster Clinic in Muteena, Deira, adds that prevention should be personalized, taking into account individual factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, weight, family history, and lifestyle. He recommends consulting with a medical professional to assess these factors and determine if further evaluation is necessary.

Women may experience heart disease differently than men, with potential symptoms including unusual fatigue, breathlessness, nausea, or discomfort in the back, jaw, or upper abdomen. Dr Heba Tag Eldin, a Specialist Cardiologist at Aster Clinic in Halwan, Sharjah, advises women not to dismiss persistent or unusual symptoms, as they may not always align with typical heart problem presentations. It is essential for women to listen to their bodies and seek medical advice if something feels unusual.

Some cardiovascular conditions may not present with obvious symptoms, while others may exhibit warning signs such as chest discomfort, unexplained breathlessness, fainting, unusual fatigue, palpitations, or pain spreading to the arm, shoulder, back, neck, or jaw. Dr Upendra J Shah, a Specialist Cardiologist at Aster Clinic in DSO, advises that people should not wait for symptoms to subside, especially if they are new, persistent, recurrent, or concerning.

Regular checks of blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels can aid in early detection of risk factors and support better heart health. Depending on an individual's history and symptoms, doctors may recommend further investigations like blood tests, ECGs, echocardiograms, stress tests, or other cardiovascular assessments.

Treatment options for cardiovascular disease have advanced significantly. Interventional cardiology offers minimally invasive procedures such as coronary angiography, angioplasty, and stent placement. Dr Krishna Sarin, a Specialist Interventional Cardiology at Aster Hospital in Qusais, highlights that these procedures enable treatment of increasingly complex conditions using less invasive techniques.

In cases where surgery is required, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) may be necessary for patients with multiple blockages in the coronary arteries, particularly when diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, or other risk factors are present. Dr Shipra Shrivastava, a Consultant Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery at Aster Hospital in Qusais, notes that heart valve disease may require surgical intervention for stenosis or regurgitation, while certain congenital heart defects also necessitate surgical correction to restore normal cardiac anatomy and function.

Heart health begins before a diagnosis is made. It can start with a conversation, health check, risk assessment, or investigation triggered by a symptom. Dr Sachin Upadhyaya, a Specialist Cardiology at Aster Hospital in Mankhool, advises that a patient's journey should be tailored to their individual needs, with a team of cardiac specialists working together to address their unique circumstances.

This approach allows for prevention-focused care in some cases and advanced investigations, intervention, or surgery in others. For children and younger patients with congenital or other cardiac conditions, specialized pediatric cardiac expertise is crucial. Dr Md Afaque Parvez, a Specialist Paediatric Cardiology at Aster Hospital in Man, emphasizes the importance of early evaluation and appropriate follow-up to help families understand their child's condition and the available treatment pathways.