Today is 30^th September 2007, is the day of World Heart Day and this year is the 8^th year. In recognition of this global crises and is celebrating annually by the World Heart Federation and its partners in over 100 countries worldwide. Acknowledging the importance of this global event, to take part in commemorate the World Heart Day by dedicating a major section of this issue to highlight the prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) that is affecting our nation and region, and the measures of prevention. It’s high time for each and every one of us to pay close attention to the reality of this killer disease.

The aim is to increase public awareness of risk factors for heart disease and stroke and to emphasis the importance of a heart-healthy lifestyle. It is also to increase knowledge and awareness and consistent efforts to prevent cardiovascular disease can enable everyone in all over the world to live better, longer lives. Cardiovascular problems often creep up without one’s knowledge throughout the years. Contrary to popular, a person does not suffer from heart attack or stroke “all of sudden” but in fact the disease are the result of accumulation from the effects of various factors such as diet, habits and lifestyle over a period of time.

For this year theme is Team up for healthy heart, is to remind families and communities of the important role they play in helping individual to reduce their risk of heart attack and stroke by focusing on areas such as healthy diets, physical activities and the unhealthy in tobacco use. So let’s team up and look at how to make good heart health a reality for our families!

Worldwide

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the world No.1 killer claiming an estimated 17 million lives annually.

1-3 people worldwide dies from stroke or heart attack

25% or more of healthy life years are likely to be lost to CVD globally.

A heart attack occurs about every 20 sec with a fatality about every minute.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is condition that involves the heart and/or blood vessels CVD happens when cholesterol and other substances build up inside the walls of our blood vessels, forming plaque which restricts blood flow to the heart. CVD can occur in several ways

High Blood Pressure (hypertension)
High blood pressure or hypertension means high pressure (tension) in the arteries. Arteries are vessels that carry blood from the pumping heart to all the tissues and organs of the body. High blood pressure does not mean excessive emotional tension, although emotional tension and stress can temporarily increase blood pressure.

Normal blood pressure is below 120/80;

Blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called “pre–hypertension”,

And a blood pressure of 140/90 or above is considered high.

Your heart pumps blood through a network of arteries, veins and capillaries; the moving blood pushes against the arterial wall and this force is measured as blood pressure

Angina Pectoris
Is also called chest pain, happens when the heart muscles do not get as much blood and oxygen as it needs due to narrowed or block arteries, causing acute chest pain or discomfort. Angina is a sign that someone is at increased risk of heart attack, cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death. Chest pain that is typically severe and crushing with a feeling just behind the breastbone (the sternum) of pressure and suffocation, due to an inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart muscle. The term “angina pectoris” comes from the Latin “angere” meaning “to choke or throttle” and “pectus” meaning “chest”.

Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD)
Sudden cardiac death is an unexpected, sudden death caused by sudden cardiac arrest (loss of heart function). Causes and risk factors of sudden cardiac death include (not inclusive): abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), previous heart attack, coronary artery disease, smoking, high cholesterol, Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation after a heart attack, congenital heart defects, history of fainting, and heart failure, obesity, diabetes, and drug abuse. Treatment of sudden cardiac arrest is an emergency, and action must be taken immediately.

Symptom: some people may experience a racing heartbeat or they may feel dizzy, alerting them that a potentially dangerous heart rhythm problem has started. In over half of the cases, however, sudden cardiac arrest occurs without prior symptoms.

Sudden cardiac arrest is not a Heart Attack (myocardial infarction) but can occur during a heart attack. Heart attacks occur when there is a blockage in one or more of the arteries to the heart, preventing the heart from receiving enough oxygen–rich blood. If the oxygen in the blood cannot reach the heart muscle, the heart becomes damaged.

Emergency treatment includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation. CPR is a manual technique using repetitive pressing to the chest and breathing into the person’s airways that keeps enough oxygen and blood flowing to the brain until the normal heart rhythm is restored with an electric shock to the chest, a procedure called defibrillation.

Heart Attack or Myocardial infarction
A heart attack (also known as a myocardial infarction) is the death of heart muscle from the sudden blockage of a coronary artery by a blood clot. Coronary arteries are blood vessels that supply the heart muscle with blood and oxygen. Blockage of a coronary artery deprives the heart muscle of blood and oxygen, causing injury to the heart muscle. Injury to the heart muscle causes chest pain and pressure. If blood flow is not restored within 20 to 40 minutes, irreversible death of the heart muscle will begin to occur. Muscle continues to die for six to eight hours at which time the heart attack usually is “complete.” The dead heart muscle is replaced by scar tissue. Symptoms include prolonged, intensive chest pain and a decrease in blood pressure that often causes shock.

Coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease (the end result of arteries lined with fatty deposit) is the most common reason for sudden death. About half of all death from coronary heart disease are sudden and unexpected. Regardless of the underlying disease.

Stroke
A stroke is the sudden death of brain cells due to a problem with the blood supply. When blood flow to the brain is impaired, oxygen and important nutrients cannot be delivered. The result is abnormal brain function. Blood flow to the brain can be disrupted by either a blockage or rupture of an artery to the brain. There are many causes for a stroke, as shown in the table and discussed below. A stroke is also referred to as a cerebrovascular accident or CVA.

These are the five major signs of stroke:

1. Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body. The loss of voluntary movement and/or sensation may be complete or partial. There may also be an associated tingling sensation in the affected area.

2. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. Sometimes weakness in the muscles of the face can cause drooling.

3. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

4. Sudden trouble walking,dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

5. Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

Strokes can also cause breathing difficulties and can result in loss of consciousness. Stroke is always a medical emergency.

High blood pressure and atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries) are important risk factors for heart attacks and strokes.

Causes of Stroke
A stroke is caused by the sudden death of brain cells due to a lack of oxygen when the blood flow to the brain is impaired by the blockage or rapture of a capillaries in the brain. The result is abnormal brain function that can cause permanent paralysis,speech and cognitive deficit.

10 ways to Good Heart Health

• Proper diet-Replace saturated and trans fats
• Get nutrition
• Exercise
• No smoking
• Watch weight
• Limit alcohol intake
• Regular health screening
• Stay happy and Keep emotion in control
• Get enough quality Sleep
• Inculcate good habits when is young

All over the world, patients of cardiovascular disease spend a fortune hoping to regain health and improve their quality of life. But while the true cost in human terms of physical suffering, emotional upheaval, relationship breakdowns between family members and friends and lost lives is simply incalculable.