National Heart Awareness Month, September 2012

Much has changed in the world of health in the last few decades, from a time when doctors would recommend smoking certain brands of cigarettes, to today when preventative care is fast becoming a way of life for many people. Yet despite this, the rate of cardiovascular disease in South Africa continues to rise and is a leading cause of death in the country.

As part of the Government Employees Medical Scheme's (GEMS) ongoing effort to educate existing and future members on a range of healthcare topics, we would like to explore certain important healthcare issues. This article looks at the subject of heart health this National Heart Awareness Month, August 2012.

What is heart disease?
Heart disease refers to a number of illnesses that affect your heart, such as coronary heart disease, heart arrhythmia, congenital heart disease, and narrowed or blocked blood vessels. Heart disease is serious and can lead to heart attack or stroke, amongst other severe conditions.

What is a heart attack?
A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, occurs when the arteries become too narrow for blood to pass through properly or when a clot forms, restricting the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. This can be fatal, particularly when the symptoms are not recognised early enough and treatment is sought too late.

What are the symptoms of a heart attack?

• A feeling of pressure or a squeezing pain in the centre of your chest lasting more than a few minutes
• The spreading of this pain to your shoulder, arm, neck or jaw
• Prolonged pain in your upper abdomen
• Feeling short of breath
• Having sweats
• Fainting
• Nausea and vomiting

Women may also experience the following:

• A sensation of heartburn, or abdominal/discomfort
• Feeling lightheaded
• Experiencing extreme unexplained fatigue
• Clammy skin

What should I do if I think I, or someone near me, may be having a heart attack?
Call for emergency medical assistance right away. Do not delay calling for assistance if you think you may be having a heart attack.

What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is severely reduced or interrupted. This deprives the brain tissue of oxygen and other important nutrients, causing the brain cells to die within minutes. The obstruction of blood may be as a result of a blocked or broken artery, or a blood clot. Approximately 60 people die from strokes each day in South Africa.

What are the symptoms of a stroke?
Difficulty in speaking and understanding what others are saying
Difficulty in walking, keeping balance or coordinating your movements
Paralysis or a feeling of numbness in the face, arm or leg, especially on the one side of your body - you may not be able to lift your one arm and one side of your mouth may droop when you try to smile
Vision problems in one or both eyes
Sudden, severe headache, possibly accompanied by nausea and vomiting

Take note of the time that these symptoms start to be displayed as that may affect the course of treatment.

What should I do if I think I, or someone near me, may be having a stroke?
Call for emergency medical assistance immediately. Every second counts in cases of stroke and the longer the victim goes untreated the higher the chances of brain damage and physical disability. Do not wait to see if the symptoms go away - the sooner help arrives the better your chances of survival and of returning to health.

What are the risk factors for heart disease?

• Age - as you get older your arteries and heart muscle are more likely to weaken or become damaged
• Gender - men tend to be more at risk, though the risk for women increases after menopause
• Genetics - heart disease in your immediate family may indicate that you are also at risk
• Bad diet - too much saturated fat, salt and cholesterol is bad for the heart
• Smoking - the chemicals in tobacco can damage your blood vessels
• High blood pressure - this can lead to the hardening and thickening of the arteries, which makes it more difficult for blood to flow to the heart
• High blood cholesterol levels - this can have a negative impact on blood flow through the arteries
• Obesity - This can be linked to or worsen other risk factors
• Diabetes - shared risk factors with heart disease
• Lack of exercise - can lead to or be associated with other risk factors
• High levels of stress - this can damage your arteries and worsen other risk factors
• Bad hygiene - lack of cleanliness can result in viral or bacterial infections, which can put you at risk, especially if you already have a heart condition. Poor dental health can also be a risk factor.

How can I prevent heart disease?
While there is no way to guarantee that you will not suffer from heart disease, you can take the following steps to help prevent its development:

Maintain a healthy diet that is low in saturated fat and sodium

Do not smoke

Get regular exercise

Visit your doctor for a check-up and have blood pressure and cholesterol screenings

If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure and/or cholesterol, follow your doctors advice in controlling it

Inform your doctor if there is any heart disease in your family

Keep your body weight at a healthy level.

Try to avoid stressful situations

For any GEMS member queries please phone the GEMS call centre on 0860 00 4367 or visit our website at www.gems.gov.za. GEMS will assist you in every way possible to ensure your family's health and wellbeing.

Sources:
1. The Mayo Clinic, www.mayoclinic.com 

2. The Heart and Stroke Foundation, South Africa, www.heartfoundation.co.za

3. WebMD, www.webmd.com

4. South African Medical Research Council, www.mrc.ac.za