For those who have already suffered once, the
parameters are stricter. These parameters can be achieved by correct diet,
regular exercise, stress management and abstinence from any form of use of tobacco.
Are stroke and heart attack
similar?
Atherosclerosis
is a disease process where arteries of various organs get blocked.
· Blockage in the artery of the heart (coronary) results in heart
attack, while blockage in the artery of the brain (carotids) causes brain
attack i.e., stroke.
· Heart attack damages part of the heart while a stroke damages part of
the brain.
· Similar blockage can result in the arteries of the legs (peripheral
vascular disease), and in men, such a blockage can also lead to impotence.
· Therefore prevention of the process of atherosclerosis is of
paramount importance.
How can I prevent stroke and heart attack - atherosclerosis,
rather?
Maintaining ideal
body parameters can result in significant prevention of stroke and heart
attack.
· Body Mass Index of less than 23
· Blood pressure lower than 130/85 mm Hg
· Total cholesterol less than 200 mg%, with (bad) LDL cholesterol less
than 100 mg% and (good) HDL cholesterol greater than 45 mg%
· Blood sugars lower than 150 mg%.
There should be something about
exercise too, right?
· At least 150 mins of brisk aerobic exercise per week has shown to be
preventive.
· If brisk walks, cycling, jogging,swimming, dancing aerobics in the
gym for 30 mins for at least five days a week constitutes this aerobic
exercise, it will have more benefit.
· Healthy sexual activity is also considered one of the better aerobic
exercises.
· Supplementing aerobic exercise with weight training is also
absolutely essential.
Stress management? Does it help prevent stroke and heart attack?
· The World Heart Foundation considers stress at par with hypertension,
diabetes, cholesterol and smoking, as a risk factor for developing stroke and
heart attack.
· It clearly mentions that “being happy” prevents your risk of
developing stroke and heart attack.
· Having good physical health, improvement of interpersonal
relationship at home and at work place, developing hobbies, which are
personally soothing and rewarding, and looking at life as a pleasant journey
and not a rat-race, are some basic principles of stress management.
· Meditation, pranayama, and a yogic way of life are helpful in stress
management.
Are there any medicines for
preventing stroke and heart attack?
· Aspirin reduces the incidence of stroke and heart attack by about 25
percent.
· Statin (cholesterol lowering medicine) confers benefit of up to 33
percent.
· ACE (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) inhibitors are drugs, which are
also shown to be preventing stroke and heart attack.
· All these three medicines used judiciously along with blood pressure
medicines and anti-diabetic medicines can have a phenomenal effect of
prevention of stroke.
· Combining four or five medicines together in the form of a “polypill”
is around the corner - and India has already developed a polypill.
Theoretically, such a polypill consumed by each individual above the age of 55
could reduce heart and stroke attack to the tune of 85 percent. Theoretically.
Despite common knowledge of most
of these preventive aspects, why do strokes and heart attacks still happen?
Well, the
knowledge needs to be put in practical use to see its effects! Developed
countries have gone through this stage of epidemic rise of diabetes, blood
pressure, heart attack and strokes. They applied these principles slowly and
steadily, improving social awareness of exercise, cholesterol awareness and
smoking awareness. By various activities like these, western countries are
already on the downward trend of stroke, atherosclerosis and heart attacks. India
though, is on the upward curve - but we can get there, definitely.
What about my diet?
· Eat small quantity of food - never fill your stomach completely.
· Let the dinner be the smallest meal.
· Learn to eat for the body and eat sparingly for the tongue.
· Avoid butter, ghee, deep fried items and bakery products.
· Use fresh fruits, salads, sprouts and uncooked items in day-to-day
meals.
· Increase your good HDL cholesterol by use of almonds, walnuts,
fenugreek, flax-seed and unusual oils like olive oil and fish oil. Dark
chocolate and red wine can also help to some extent.
Date: 16/02/2016