The term "heart disease" covers a wide range of conditions. When it comes to coronary artery disease — caused by atherosclerosis and blockage of the arteries supplying the heart — age alone is not decisive. The disease begins developing early in life and can progress quickly depending on lifestyle factors such as smoking, blood pressure, and weight. The risk is higher in people with diabetes and obesity.
Hypertension is an insidious condition that usually has no symptoms. Some patients experience pain radiating from the back of the neck to the head. The best approach is to have your blood pressure measured at regular intervals.
Hereditary factors play an important role in the development of heart disease. If there is heart disease in your family, your risk is higher. Family history is especially significant for coronary artery disease and aneurysms. Consult your doctor to assess your risk factors, and adopt a healthy lifestyle to reduce your personal risk.
If high blood fats (hyperlipidaemia) run in your family, see your doctor immediately. In some families, cholesterol can be elevated from childhood. The general recommendation is to have your cholesterol measured from your twenties onwards, and to lower it if it is high.
Sudden, severe chest pain radiating to the left arm is the classic warning sign, but a heart attack can also occur without pain — especially in people with diabetes. Other warning signs include shortness of breath, nausea, and pain radiating to the jaw.
High blood pressure is more common in smokers. Smoking also restricts physical activity, increases blood clotting tendency, and lowers HDL ("good") cholesterol. Together, these factors cause the coronary arteries that supply the heart to become blocked more rapidly.
Control your risk factors: lower your blood pressure with medication if needed, keep your blood sugar under control, exercise regularly, and — most importantly — quit smoking if you smoke. These steps are especially critical if you have a family history of heart disease.
Yes. Men are at a disadvantage compared to women in this regard. Men have a higher chance of having a heart attack and tend to experience them at an earlier age than women.
Excessive alcohol consumption raises blood pressure (hypertension), causes irregular heartbeats, and elevates triglyceride levels. If you drink alcohol, limit it to 1–2 glasses per day. The type of alcohol (wine, etc.) makes no difference from a heart disease perspective.
