Cardiovascular disease: A silent killer lurking

As the World Heart Day was commemorated on 29 September, the world is still trying to cope with the ballooning health crisis which ensues from a rising number of persons suffering from cardiovascular disease (CVD). It continues to be the leading cause of death and disability across the world. 

Worldwide over 17.5 million people die from cardiovascular disease each year. Mauritius faces the same tragedy. Cardiovascular disease is the second cause of death in the country, after diabetes. In fact, there is an increasing prevalence of diabetes and hypertension within the population. CVD comprises of all the diseases of the heart and circulatory system, including coronary heart disease, angina, heart attack, congenital heart disease and stroke.

According to the National Health Report 2015, diseases related to the circulatory system are the second cause of death with 1,891 cases after diabetes. In Mauritius, 15 to 20 people visit hospitals for heart disease every day. 1 upon 25 patients has undergone an angiography. Daily, three to four operations are carried out at Pamplemousses Cardiac hospital, Jeetoo hospital and Victoria hospital. 

According to Cardiologist Dr B. S. Summah, the situation in Mauritius is indeed very alarming. “With the increasing trend in diabetes and hypertension, the risk of cardiovascular diseases has increased further. People should know that cardiovascular diseases are highly preventive. It is up to the public to choose judiciously. An increasing number of young persons are now suffering from heart diseases. We have patients aged 20 having this type of disease,” he says.

Causes of cardiovascular disease

Dr Summah lists various risk factors of cardiovascular diseases:

• Smoking. A smoker has a 2 to 4 times chance of developing coronary heart disease than non smokers. Passive smoking can also increase a person’s likelihood of having heart-related diseases. 
• Blood cholesterol. With increasing cholesterol in the blood, the risk of coronary heart disease also increases. 
• High blood pressure. High blood pressure increases the heart’s workload, causing the heart to thicken and become stiffer. Similarly, it increases an individual’s risk of suffering from a stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and congestive heart failure.
• Physical inactivity. Insufficient physical activity or sedentary lifestyles increase the risk of coronary heart disease. Regular exercises help to have a good control over blood cholesterol levels, diabetes and obesity, as well as help lower blood pressure in some people.
• Obesity and overweight. People who have excess body fat are more likely develop heart disease and stroke. 
• Diabetes mellitus. Diabetes increases an individual’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease. 

Preventive measures 

• The cardiologist reveals that individual has always a choice to choose what is good or wrong for them. According to Dr Summah, there are a series of preventive measures that can help an individual to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
• Be more active. 30 minutes of activity per day can change your life and prevent heart attack. Dr Summah encourages everyone to use stairs instead of lifts, getting off the bus a few stops earlier and walk the rest of the way.
• Eat healthy. A healthy eating habit promotes good health. It is essential for an individual to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, a variety of whole grain products, lean meat, fish, peas, beans, lentils and foods low in saturated fat.  
• Quit smoking. If a person quits smoking, the risk of developing coronary heart disease will be halved within a year and will return to a normal level over time. Avoid smoke-filled environments: exposure to second-hand smoke significantly increases the risk of heart attack.