Words Dr. Chris Pengilly (retired)
Heart month can be a good time to look at this vital pump which began beating not long after conception and, mostly uncomplainingly, continues all day, every day with no time off until it is no longer needed at life’s end.
The function of the heart is to pump blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen, then encourage the blood back to the heart from which it is pumped to all the vital organs. Though the total circulation goes through the cardiac pump, the heart muscle itself has its own blood supply through dedicated coronary arteries.
Most problems with the heart are of two types. One is with valves which may leak or become narrowed; this will result in the heart having to work harder until it fails. There is no simple way of preventing this type of problem, but there are treatment options.
The second type of difficulty is when the heart’s own blood supply becomes compromised, due mostly to the laying down of cholesterol type deposits in the coronary artery walls. This will result in the heart muscle not receiving adequate oxygenated blood when it is needed at times of increased physical activity or emotional upset, resulting in chest pain (angina pectoris).
The individual can do much to slow down, and even reverse, lipid deposits in the coronary arteries.
Predisposing factors include family history, elevated blood pressure, lack of physical fitness, inflammation anywhere in the body and a diet low in fibre and high in unsatisfactory fats. I could fill this entire magazine with detailed considerations of cholesterol and its complex consequences, but instead I am going to describe how to remove common stumbling blocks on the way toward lipid reducing steps.
The Canadian Cardiovascular Society Guidelines https://ccs.ca/cholesterol/ will give you all the lipid facts that you will need – and more.
There is not a great deal that can be done about family history; trading your parents in is not really practical!
Blood pressure is an important factor and will require medication if weight loss and exercise are not successful after a three- to six-month trial. Once stable, a home blood pressure monitor will be useful, checking about every month or six weeks.
A modest but regular exercise program, if adhered to, will reduce blood pressure and have an effect on the coronary arteries. The main problem with all exercise programs is time pressure and boredom. Begin to gradually adopt the current mindset, working towards an appropriate life/work balance. After a few months even the most unfit person should notice an improved sense of wellness. A useful program can be fashioned around a one-hour walk at a reasonably brisk, but comfortable pace, three times a week. To avoid the common complaint of boredom, listening to music, audiobooks or podcasts through noise-cancelling headphones helps tremendously. The exercise program should begin gradually and increased only as tolerated.
In the event of any form of arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease, a referral to a rheumatologist would be well worthwhile.
The steps outlined above are proven to be effective in preventing cardiovascular disease. The suggestions in this article should be used as a rough and ready outline. A high-fibre diet can easily be fitted into any dietary habits. It will eventually become second nature to use fats which are not solid at room temperature, i.e. not saturated fats.
Over and above all these suggestions, by a long way, is to speak to your pharmacist about a smoking cessation program.
