Do not take cardiovascular health halfheartedly

The circulatory system is one of the body’s most important systems. The heart pumps blood through blood vessels. The blood vessels then carry oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. The vital organs such as the heart itself, brain and kidneys depend on the blood vessels to function.

With age, blood vessels can become damaged due to cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease. Atherosclerotic plaque can form on the inside of the blood vessels, creating a narrowing. Narrowed blood vessels carry less blood, starving the organs of oxygen and nutrients. Blood vessels can also stiffen from calcium deposits, making it difficult for blood vessels to relax and widen when needed.

The symptoms of cardiovascular disease may include chest pain, shortness of breath, numbness and weakness. Pain and coldness may happen in legs or arms if the blood vessels there are narrowed. Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen or back can also occur. It is important to watch for symptoms and promptly report them to your doctor. If you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting, seek emergency medical care.

Some people do not know they have vascular disease until they have a heart attack, stroke or heart failure. These illnesses can happen without any warning signs. Still, regular and thorough physical examinations can catch cardiovascular disease early. Your doctor may also order blood tests, EKG or X-ray studies to find out if you have cardiovascular disease, and how severe it is.

Men are generally at greater risk of heart disease. However, women’s risk increases after menopause. Family history of vascular disease increases your risk of having it, especially if a parent developed it at an early age.

Nicotine, found in tobacco, constricts the blood vessels, reducing the amount of blood they can carry. Carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke could damage the blood vessels’ inner lining, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis. Heart attacks are also more common in smokers than in non-smokers.

A diet high in fat, salt, sugar and cholesterol can contribute to the development of heart disease. High levels of cholesterol in blood can increase the risk of atherosclerosis. Diabetes also increases the risk of vascular disease. Excess weight can worsen other risk factors.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure can result in hardening and thickening of artery walls. This can narrow the vessels and reduce blood flow. Lack of exercise and unrelieved stress are also associated with vascular disease.

Because every organ in the body depends on good blood supply, vascular disease carries a wide range of complications. These include heart failure, heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, peripheral artery disease and sudden cardiac arrest.

Cardiovascular disease is, to a degree, preventable and treatable through lifestyle changes. Eating a low-fat and low-salt diet, getting at least 30 minutes of exercise at least three to four days a week, stopping smoking, and cutting alcohol intake can help. Exercise helps lose and keep off excess weight, as well as control diabetes, blood cholesterol and blood pressure.

Control your blood pressure to fight vascular disease. Ask your doctor for regular blood pressure checks. Optimal blood pressure is less than 120mm Hg systolic and 80mm Hg diastolic.

Keep your cholesterol down to slow plaque build-up in your blood vessels. Ask your doctor for a baseline cholesterol test and follow-up checks at regular intervals. LDL, or “bad cholesterol” level, should be below 130 milligrams per decilitre (mg/dl) in most people. If you have risk factors for heart disease, you should aim for an LDL below 100 mg/dl or even below 70 mg/dl — check this with your doctor.

Get your diabetes under control. If you have diabetes, tight blood sugar control can help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Get regular blood sugar checks. Ask your doctor to check your haemoglobin A1C — it is a good test of your blood sugar control over time.

If lifestyle modifications are not enough, your doctor may recommend medications, specific procedures or surgery to help control your cardiovascular disease. The choice of treatment will depend on the type of illness.

Regarding cardiovascular disease, an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. Healthy lifestyle and regular doctor visits can keep your circulation going better and longer.

• Mike Serebrennik is a physician by training and now a full-time entrepreneur, investor and writer. He is also a director of product development and sourcing at Lighthouse Medical Supplies, Ltd, a local company dedicated to helping patients and healthcare providers lower the cost and increase the quality of care.