Our heart, a muscular fist - sized organ that pumps blood through the network of arteries and veins called the cardiovascular system. It’s located between the lungs in the middle of the chest and pumps blood to the body’s organs, tissues and cells.
The heart has four main chambers:
a) Right atrium; receives blood from the veins and pumps it to the right ventricle.
b) Right ventricle; receives blood from the right atrium and pumps it to the lungs, where it is loaded with oxygen.
c) Left atrium; receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumps it to the left ventricle.
d) Left ventricle; pumps oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body, its vigorous contractions create our blood pressure.
Heart disease is a condition that affects the structure or functioning of the heart or blood vessels. It’s also called as cardiovascular disease and includes a variety of problems, like high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, chest pain, heart attacks and strokes.
Types of heart disease
There are several different types of heart disease, and they affect the heart and blood vessels in the following manner:
A) Coronary artery and vascular disease
It’s the most common kind of heart disease and causes most heart attacks and chest pain. They are due to hardening of the arteries or when arteries are narrowed or blocked. Vascular disease is problems in other blood vessels which reduce blood flow and affect the function of our heart.
B) Heart rhythm disorders
It causes the heart to beat too slowly, too quickly or in a disorganized fashion. It disrupts blood flow and its symptoms are sudden and fatal.
C) Structural heart disease
It refers to abnormalities of the heart’s structure – valves, walls, muscles or blood vessels near the heart. It can be present at birth or acquired after birth through infection, wear and tear or other factors.
D) Heart failure
It’s a serious condition that develops after the heart becomes damaged or weakened. It’s mostly caused by heart attack and high blood pressure. Early diagnosis, lifestyle changes and medication can help people fight against it.
Symptoms of Heart Disease
Symptoms depend on the heart disease a person is suffering. Following may indicate a heart problem:
Chest pain or discomfort
Difficulty in breathing
Fatigue, dizzy and light-headedness
Swelling due to fluid retention (Edema)
Nausea, Indigestion, Heartburn or Stomach Pain
Pain in arms
Throat or Jaw Pain
Loud snoring
Swollen legs, feet and ankles
Irregular Heart Beat or heart palpitations
Excessive sweating
Causes of Heart Disease
According to researchers’ poverty and stress are two key factors contributing to a global increase in heart and cardiovascular disease.
Heart disease can be caused by:
i) Medical conditions
Some medical diseases are so serious that they have high chances to impact the heart and its functioning, health concerns like;
· High blood pressure (during pregnancy)
· High cholesterol levels
· Diabetes
· Sleep apnoea
· Attack of bacteria, viruses and parasites.
ii) Poor Lifestyle
Following improper lifestyle can lead to more and more diseases which can impact the heart;
· Unhealthy diet and weight
· Not enough physical activity
· Excessive smoking and alcohol consumption.
· Too much of stress
· Recreational drug use
· Birth control or hormone replacement therapy
iii) Risk factors
Some risk factors which we can’t control have high chances to impact the heart;
· Unprotected sex can lead to infections which impact the heart life.
· Old age is a big risk factor.
· Family (Genetics) and medical history
Preventive Measures For Heart Disease
Heart disease is a leading cause of death, but it can be prevented by following a heart-healthy lifestyle.
Following are some tips to protect our heart.
· Avoid smoking and tobacco consumption.
· Regular and daily physical activity for 30-40 minutes.
· Follow a heart-healthy diet
· Maintain a healthy weight
· Get good quality sleep
· Manage stress
· Get regular health check ups
Heart disease is a common health problem, but in order to increase our life span, we must provide proper care and nourishment to our heart. By following a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercise and seeking advice when the first symptoms of heart disease appear all can help to strengthen the heart muscles and functions. Plus adding a small amount of dietary supplement in our schedule will help us receive the essential nutrients which our body is currently lacking.
One such health supplement is ‘Rizumu Capsules’, a dietary friend of cardiac system for happy beats. This capsule is a purely herbal supplement for heart care and promotes healthy cardiac functioning, normalizes high blood pressure, reduces platelet aggregation and blood lipid levels. It’s prescribed by doctors and is really very effective for cardiac patients. With standardized extracts of Arjuna, Turmeric, Methi, Garlic, Cinnamon, Tulsi, Green Tea, Quercetin Gokharu, Betel, Black Pepper and Triphala the capsules help reduce the fluctuation of blood pressure levels, reduces the chances of heart diseases and lead our way toward a heart-healthy life.