ISCHAEMIC HEART DISEASE, HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW?

Hello friends. I guess you are having a wonderful weekend.Mine was great and still hope to get the fullest from today. Yea! my Team won emphatically. You want to know the football team I support? Wow! I am an unrepentant Arsenal football club fan. We are blazing hot. That well said I want to share something else with you this morning, a health tip on a disease killing Nigerians in an alarming order- Ischaemic Heart Disease.


What exactly is Ischaemic Heart Disease?
I would try as much as possible to break it down so everyone can follow quite easily. Ischaemic Heart Disease, also known as Coronary Artery Disease is quite alarming in our modern Nigeria. Its a Non-communicable Disease which we now experience just maybe because of a change in our feeding habits. The heart is the pump that helps in circulating blood round the body so that oxygen can reach cells and so survive. However, just as other cells needs oxygen for their survival so likewise the heart muscle do also need oxygen to function well. A heart attack occurs when the blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart muscle is severely reduced or cut off completely.

How?

This happens because coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood flow can slowly become narrow from a build-up of fat, cholesterol and other substances that together are called plaque.

This slow process is known as atherosclerosis. When a plaque in a heart artery breaks, a blood clot forms around the plaque and this blood clot can block the blood flow through the heart muscle. When the heart muscle is starved for oxygen and nutrients, it is called Ischemia. When damage or death of part of the heart muscle occurs as a result of ischemia, it is called a heart attack or myocardial infarction.

What warning signs must you watch-out for?

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting help. Don't do self diagnosis and self medication. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
More warning symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach, and shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort. Epidemiological studies have shown that Women are more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain. Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or could also occur.

What to do when you see someone with such an encounter?

Simply call for emergency services.But whilst waiting for such professional help, you should begin CPR with chest compressions. Press down about five centimeters on the person’s chest for each compression at a rate of about 100 a minute. If you’ve been trained in CPR, check the person’s airway and deliver rescue breaths after every 30 compressions. If you haven’t been trained, continue doing only compressions until help arrives.

I have heard of so many cases where people begin ascribing such to spiritual attacks. Yes I believe in God but just before you take that route apply wisdom for it is there to direct. Seek professional help from a Doctor.Your Pastor and Imam can meet you up in the hospital. The church is not a medical centre. Every minute matter when someone experiences a heart attack. It is fatal. For those that are still healthy, Eat wisely. Engage in some bodily exercise. Reduce the fat content in your foods. Always do a health check with a health personal. REMEMBER HEALTH IS WEALTH.