Heart disease does not unfold dramatically. Before it becomes an urgent, life-threatening condition marked by severe chest pain, it may first manifest through signs and symptoms. You may easily misinterpret them as exhaustion, insufficient sleep or excessive stress. However, if you notice an unexplained or recurring change, it warrants closer attention so that you can seek a timely diagnosis and potentially avoid serious complications.ALSO READ: Can poor sleep increase hypertension risk? Cardiologist shares 5 bedtime habits to manage blood pressure
Event Context
Dr Ajeet Bana, chairman of cardiac sciences at EHCC Hospital and a senior cardiothoracic surgeon, shared five symptoms he never ignores, even in those people who otherwise appear healthy. He stated that while chest pain is a heart-related symptom, it is not the only symptom.
Before discussing the signs, he first addressed a ‘shift’ in heart diseases.
One of the effective ways to protect your heart is to actively take preventive action before your warning signs become severe. First begins with recognising the symptoms, which the cardiologist listed above. Moreover, you also need to understand your personal risk, which Dr Bana outlined could be based on age, family history and existing health conditions.
The other precautionary measures mentioned, as recommended by the cardiologist, are: “Adults should also avoid smoking, limit alcohol intake and discuss cardiovascular risk with their physician based on age, family history and existing medical conditions. For most healthy adults, annual health screening from the age of 40 is a practical starting point. Those living with diabetes, hypertension, obesity or a family history of heart disease should discuss earlier and more frequent cardiovascular assessments with their physician.”
Everyday habits also strongly influence your cardiovascular health. Dr Bana suggested:
The expert’s parting advice offered reassurance: when recognised and treated promptly, many forms of heart disease are highly manageable.
Player Focus
Dr Ajeet Bana has over 30 years of experience. His areas of special interest include small-incision coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery, bypass surgery, heart failure treatment, left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) and heart transplants, off-pump CABG, minimally invasive valve replacement and atrial septal defect (ASD) closure, mitral valve repair, and thoracic aortic aneurysm surgery.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Team Analysis
We first asked whether heart disease has changed over the years. The cardiologist agreed, observing that the age profile of people being diagnosed is gradually changing. But which age group was traditionally considered most at risk, and which demography is also now at risk?He answered, “Heart disease has changed significantly over the past two decades. Although heart disease remains most common in older adults, it is increasingly being diagnosed in people in their thirties and forties due to changing lifestyle and metabolic risk factors.”
This means that, since heart disease is usually viewed as an ailment affecting older people, young and seemingly healthy individuals may have a ‘false sense of security’.
The cardiologist stated the risk is because of long working hours, prolonged sitting and irregular sleep, along with metabolic risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity and elevated cholesterol.
Match Outlook
However, Dr Bana also took a moment to address the advances in diagnosis and treatment that have made it possible to detect and manage heart disease much earlier. The key is to recognise the early warning signs and seek a timely medical evaluation.
While heart disease encompasses several different conditions, certain early warning signs may indicate that something is wrong with the heart. These symptoms are not always dramatic or immediately recognisable. They may appear as subtle changes in energy levels and breathing.
Dr Bana shared five signs which he would observe often:
