Top News

increased risk of heart diseases

New Delhi: Heart diseases remain a leading cause of death globally. Many people believe that these problems arise suddenly, but doctors say that they develop gradually. Dr. Jeremy London, a renowned heart surgeon with 25 years of experience, in a recent video mentioned the three main reasons that lead to heart attack and death.

blockage of arteries

Dr Jeremy describes this as a ‘plumbing problem’. In this, fat, cholesterol and calcium gradually start accumulating in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Due to this the blood vessels get narrowed and the heart has to face lack of oxygen and nutrition. In medical language it is called atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. If it is not treated, it can lead to chest pain or heart attack. Doctors detect this blockage through ‘cardiac catheterization’ test.

heart valve problems

Dr. Jeremy told that there are some valves inside the heart which work to flow the blood in the right direction. Sometimes these valves become hard, narrow or leaky. A common problem is ‘aortic stenosis’, in which the valve becomes stiff and cannot open properly. Due to this the heart has to work harder to pump blood. Doctors can identify it by listening with a stethoscope, and an ‘echo’ test is done to confirm it.

heart failure

The doctor explained that the heart operates through a natural electrical system, which controls the speed of its heartbeat. When there is a problem in this system, the heart starts beating too fast, too slow or irregularly. This is called ‘atrial fibrillation’, in which there is a strange fluttering in the upper part of the heart, which increases the risk of stroke. For this, doctors use ECG or heart monitor.

Dr. Jeremy London says that by understanding these problems, people can take right steps on time instead of being afraid. However, he also clarified that information found on social media can never be a substitute for doctor’s advice, hence the best option is to contact a doctor directly if any symptoms appear.