HEALTH Matters of the heart

REDUCE THE RISKS ?Weight, food choices and exercise levels are among the factors that can affect heart health.

Matters of the heart


Ask the pharmacist
Karen Jordan

Cardiovascular disease refers to diseases of the heart and/or the blood vessels. Mainly regarded as a man’s problem, most are unaware that heart disease and stroke is the leading cause of death in women in Ireland. Many factors increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. With World Heart Day (Monday, September 29) fast approaching, why not take the opportunity to take some steps towards lowering those risks.
Hypertension (high blood pressure), a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, usually has no symptoms. Normal blood pressure should be approximately 120/80 whereas hypertension is classified as 140/90. The top number represents the systolic pressure, or the force of blood leaving the heart muscle, and the bottom number represents diastolic pressure, or the force of blood flowing back into the heart. A 24-hour monitor that takes readings regularly throughout the day is the most accurate way to assess your blood pressure. Your pharmacist will be happy to discuss ways to achieve and maintain a healthy blood pressure.
Cholesterol is essentially fat in the blood. Excess can stick to artery walls forming plaques, which may block arteries causing a heart attack or stroke. Cholesterol is affected by the amount of saturated fats in our diet. High cholesterol can be inherited so if you have a family member affected, you should bear this in mind.
There are two types of cholesterol. ‘Good cholesterol’, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), mops up cholesterol from your arteries and can protect against cardiovascular disease. Exercise can raise your levels of HDL. ‘Bad’ low-density lipoprotein (LDL) can increase your risk of heart disease as it sticks to the walls of arteries. Dietary saturated fat (cakes, biscuits and vegetable oils) increases LDL. Cholesterol-lowering supplements are among the steps that can be taken to tackle high cholesterol.
Processed foods can be high in salt, which can contribute to hypertension. Adults should aim for less than 6 grams of salt (2.4g of sodium) per day. Choosing oily fish (sardines or mackerel) and getting your five-a-day are essential. Drinking large amounts of alcohol can also raise your blood pressure, damaging your heart and liver.
Being overweight means that your heart has to work harder to pump blood around your body, putting pressure on your cardiovascular system. Your waist measurement is an indicator of your risk of heart disease. A waist of over 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men is regarded as high risk. Your body mass index (BMI) is a good way of knowing your healthy weight.
Over 20 percent of coronary heart disease and 10 percent of stroke can be attributed to lack of exercise. Regular physical activity reduces your risk and can make you feel and look good. Half an hour of aerobic activity (such as walking, cycling or dancing) five days a week is all you need to maintain a healthy heart. Choose an activity that you enjoy and consult your doctor before starting.
Smokers are twice as likely to suffer a heart attack as non-smokers. Nicotine can increase your blood pressure while the poisonous gas carbon monoxide in cigarettes reduces the amount of oxygen getting to your heart. However, once you quit smoking, your risk of heart disease begins to fall after just one day, and by one year the risk of heart attack falls to half that of a smoker.

Your pharmacist can advise you all aspects of heart health.

Karen Jordan is a pharmacist in Lally’s LloydsPharmacy, Mill Street, Westport.