Risk factors and early preventive measures for coronary heart disease

Dear elderly friends, let’s talk today about coronary heart disease, a common but troublesome health problem.

Coronary heart disease, in simple terms, is a problem with the blood vessels that supply blood to our heart, which causes the heart to not get enough nutrition and oxygen, just like crops in the field lacking water and fertilizer, which will affect the normal functioning of the heart. So what exactly causes coronary heart disease?

First of all, high blood pressure is an important risk factor. As we age, the elasticity of our blood vessels gradually decreases. If our blood pressure is high for a long time, the pressure on the blood vessel wall will increase and it is easy to be damaged. This is like a water pipe that is under high pressure for a long time, which is prone to cracks and breakage. In this way, lipids and other substances in the blood vessels are easily deposited in the damaged parts, forming plaques, which will slowly block the blood vessels and cause coronary heart disease.

High blood lipids are also a "troublemaker". Excessive cholesterol, triglycerides and other lipids in the blood will make the blood viscous, just like porridge becomes thick, and the blood flow is not smooth. These lipids are easy to deposit on the blood vessel walls, forming atherosclerotic plaques, narrowing the blood vessels and increasing the risk of coronary heart disease.

Diabetes should not be underestimated. Poor blood sugar control can damage vascular endothelial cells and promote the formation of atherosclerosis. Moreover, diabetic patients are often accompanied by high blood lipids, high blood pressure and other problems. When these "bad guys" come together, coronary heart disease is more likely to occur.

Smoking is very harmful to health. The harmful substances in tobacco can damage the endothelium of blood vessels, making blood vessels more susceptible to inflammation and plaque. In addition, smoking can reduce the oxygen content in the blood and increase the burden on the heart. Therefore, for the sake of our heart health, we must resolutely quit smoking.

Obesity is also an accomplice of coronary heart disease. Excess fat in the body will affect the body's metabolism, leading to increased blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar, and increasing the burden on the heart. Moreover, obese people tend to be less active, which will also affect the function of their heart.

Lack of exercise is not good either. If we sit or lie down all the time, the blood circulation in the body will not be so smooth, the metabolism will slow down, and lipids will easily accumulate in the blood vessels, increasing the risk of coronary heart disease. Therefore, even if you are old, you should do some exercise, such as taking a walk or practicing Tai Chi.

Mental stress is not good either. Being nervous, anxious, and angry all the time will cause our bodies to produce some bad substances, leading to vasoconstriction, increased blood pressure, and increased burden on the heart. We must learn to relax, look at things more positively, and maintain a peaceful state of mind.

In addition to the above factors, there are some other factors that may increase the risk of coronary heart disease. For example, people with a family history of coronary heart disease may have a higher risk of the disease; long-term heavy drinking can also cause damage to blood vessels; and some diseases, such as hyperthyroidism and nephrotic syndrome, may also cause coronary heart disease.

Knowing these risk factors, how can we prevent coronary heart disease?

First of all, you need to go to the hospital for regular checkups. Measure your blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipids to see if there are any abnormalities. If there are any problems, you need to seek timely treatment to keep the indicators within the normal range. At the same time, you can also do some regular electrocardiograms, cardiac ultrasounds, and other examinations to detect heart problems early.

Pay special attention to your diet. Eat less salt, no more than 5 grams a day; eat less oil, especially animal oil, and eat more vegetable oil; eat less sugar, and eat less sweet things such as cakes and drinks. Eat more vegetables and fruits, such as celery, spinach, apples, and bananas, which are rich in vitamins and dietary fiber and are good for the body. Also eat more whole grains, such as corn and oats, which are rich in dietary fiber and can help lower blood lipids.

Exercise is essential. Choose the right exercise method and amount according to your physical condition. Moving around every day and sweating is good for the heart. You can choose to walk, jog, swim, do Tai Chi, etc., but be careful not to overwork. If you feel uncomfortable during exercise, stop and rest immediately.

Quitting smoking is a must. If you can't quit by yourself, you can ask your family to help supervise you, or go to the hospital to seek help from a doctor. At the same time, you should also try to avoid secondhand smoke, because secondhand smoke can also cause harm to the body.

It is also important to control your weight. Don't be too fat. If you are overweight, lose some weight. Eat less and exercise more to keep your weight within a suitable range. You can determine whether your weight is normal by calculating your body mass index (BMI). A BMI between 18.5 and 23.9 is normal.

Also, keep a happy mood. Don't get angry over trivial matters. Chat with friends more often and participate in some elderly activities to make your life fulfilling and happy. You can try some relaxation methods, such as meditation, deep breathing, listening to music, etc., to relieve mental stress.

In addition, we should also keep warm, especially in cold seasons, to avoid cold stimulation that causes vasoconstriction. At the same time, we should maintain good sleep and ensure adequate sleep time so that the body can get enough rest.

Finally, I want to remind everyone that if you suddenly experience chest pain, difficulty breathing, palpitations and other symptoms, you must go to the hospital immediately and don't delay treatment. Coronary heart disease is a serious disease, but as long as we understand its risk factors and do a good job of early prevention, we can effectively reduce the risk of the disease, keep our hearts healthy, and enjoy a happy old age!

I hope that our elderly friends can pay attention to the prevention of coronary heart disease, develop healthy living habits, and make their bodies healthier. I also hope that everyone can share this knowledge with people around them so that more people can benefit from it. I wish everyone can have a healthy and happy old age!

Author: Pan Minling, Jinbei Health Center, Tengzhou Town, Teng County