Heart Failure - Risks, Causes & Prevention

Our heart is one of the most important organs of our body. Its chief function is to pump oxygenated blood to the body. Heart failure occurs when the heart is no longer able to pump the blood to meet the body’s needs. It can be a fatal condition if not treated immediately. Visit the best cardiologist in Gurgaon for early diagnosis. The common risk factors for Heart Failure include:

1. Age Factor: Heart failures are directly proportional to age. With increasing age, the risk of heart failure increases.

2. Family History: If anyone in your family has had a history of heart failure, you are at a greater risk.

3. Obesity: Obesity is associated with bad cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, high triglyceride which can cause heart blockages and eventually its failure.

4. Stress: Stress is a major culprit. It is linked to a number of cardiological diseases, including heart failure.

5. Unstable Thyroid gland: If a person suffers from hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism then he is at greater risk of heart failure.

What are the causes of Heart Failure?

Heart failure, also known as Congestive Heart Failure occurs when your heart is unable to pump blood as well as it should. The major cause for this is Coronary Artery Disease which is the narrowing or gradual blockage of a coronary artery. Other causes include:

• Heart Attack - A heart attack can weaken the heart and slow down its functions considerably. This can lead to heart failure.

• High blood pressure- High blood pressure damages your arteries and can make them weak & stiff. This makes it harder for the heart to pump blood and the extra exertion can weaken its muscle causing heart failure.

• Heart valve problems- The heart valves are responsible for the flow of blood in the proper direction. A faulty heart valve can make it difficult for the heart to circulate blood and weaken it over time.

• Diabetes - Diabetes increases the risk of high blood pressure and blockages in the arteries.

• Heart infections - Other heart infections like Heart Arrhythmia, Valvular Heart Disease, Aortic Stenosis, etc can also weaken the heart and cause heart failure.

• Smoking - Smoking is responsible for a number of heart problems. It damages the lining of the artery and leads to the deposit of fatty material in them. This, in turn, will increase the pressure on our valves and weaken them.

Understanding the ways to prevent Heart Failure:

Some of the ways to minimize the dangers of heart failure include:

• Quit smoking & Limit the consumption of alcohol: Alcohol consumption and smoking are the major causes of heart diseases. Quit smoking and limit your alcohol intake to one or two glasses a day to avoid the risk of heart failure.

• Reducing stress- Stress, Anxiety & Depression act as precursors to many health conditions like high blood pressure, eating disorders and more. Try to manage your stress by practicing yoga & meditation regularly.

• A healthier lifestyle - One of the best ways to treat and prevent any heart disease is by opting for a healthy lifestyle. Exercising regularly for 30 mins and consuming a healthy diet can help manage your weight.

• Getting Regular Health Check-ups - Having other diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc can be detrimental for your heart. Schedule a visit to the top heart specialist in Gurgaon for a health check-up.

Your heart is one of the most important parts of your body hence it's necessary to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle to ensure its proper functioning.

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best cardiologist in Gurgaon