WORLD Heart Day is observed annually on September 29 to raise awareness about cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and to promote heart-healthy lifestyles worldwide.

Life Westville Hospital celebrated the day by having health-screening tests at their reception foyer.

People were screened for blood pressure, blood cholesterol and blood sugar. Dieticians and physiotherapists also gave educational talks.

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Dr Pumeshen Bisetty, specialist cardiologist at Life Westville Hospital, said that coronary heart disease, or coronary artery disease (CAD), is characterised by inflammation and the buildup of fatty deposits along the innermost layer of the coronary arteries.

“The fatty deposits may develop in childhood and continue to thicken and enlarge throughout someone’s life span. This thickening, called atherosclerosis, narrows the arteries and can decrease or block the flow of blood to the heart.

“It is curable if we aggressively treat risk factors,” said Bisetty.

According to the doctor, the symptoms of coronary heart disease will depend on the severity of the disease.

“Some people with CAD have no symptoms, some have episodes of mild chest pain or angina, and some have more severe chest pain. If too little oxygenated blood reaches the heart, a person will experience chest pain called angina.”

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He explained that when the blood supply is completely cut off, the result is a heart attack, and the heart muscle begins to die.

“Some people may have a heart attack and never recognise the symptoms. This is called a ‘silent’ heart attack.”

He added that heart disease is common in males above 40 years and females above the age of 55 years. “But patients who are younger, such as males in their 30s and females in their 40s, are also at risk, especially if they have uncontrollable risk factors.”

Symptoms of coronary artery disease include:

· heaviness, tightness, pressure or pain in the chest behind the breastbone
· pain spreading to the arms, shoulders, jaw, neck or back
· shortness of breath
· weakness and fatigue

Risk factors for CAD often include:

· smoking
· high LDL cholesterol, high triglycerides levels, and low HDL cholesterol
· high blood pressure (hypertension)
· physical inactivity
· obesity
· high saturated-fat diet
· diabetes
· family history

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