As the heat wave continues, it’s time to take care of your health in the summer. In particular, patients with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and high blood pressure should be more careful. Kim Won, head of the cardiology department at Kyunghee University Hospital (pictured), is known as the cardiovascular department. He is currently the head of the Department of Cardiology at Kyunghee University Hospital, and is actively involved in various societies such as the Korean Society of Cardiology, the European Heart Association, and the American Society of Cardiology.
What is angina pectoris myocardial infarction?
“It occurs when the blood flow is reduced due to hardening of the coronary arteries and the oxygen supply to the heart muscle is insufficient. Angina is one of the coronary artery disease, and it is accompanied by discomfort or pain in the left chest. Acute myocardial infarction is a disease in which blood flow to the coronary arteries is blocked by a thrombus, resulting in necrosis of the heart muscle.
Is sudden death a similar heart disease?
“Acute cardiac arrest is an unexpected cardiac arrest due to various causes, but it can be recovered if measures are taken. Sudden death is a sudden death within an hour. Acute myocardial infarction is the cause of sudden death in 90% of cases. Because of a fatal arrhythmia.”
Why does this heart disease occur?
“Hyperlipidemia, high blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes are major risk factors. Other causes include family history, obesity, lack of exercise, and physical and mental stress.”
It seems to happen a lot in middle-aged people.
“According to studies in the United States and Canada, the incidence of ischemic heart disease in men in their 50s is 10%. In Asia, the incidence is relatively low. However, in reality, it occurs most often in the 60s and 70s. As obesity among young people increases in recent years, heart disease among young people is also on the rise.”
▷ Does it occur frequently in women?
“When comparing men and women, the incidence ratio is regarding six to four. In women, regarding 10 years following menopause, blood vessels are damaged, so it occurs more often following that. After the age of 60, even women cannot be vigilant.”
Can stress cause myocardial infarction?
“Suddenly occurring or recurrent stress raises blood pressure and heart rate and triggers sympathetic nervous system activation. This results in damage to the lining of blood vessels and hyperaggregation of platelets. Mental stress can lead to cardiovascular disease.”
▷ What are the symptoms?
“Pain in the middle of the chest is a typical example. In angina pectoris, the pain disappears immediately, whereas myocardial infarction lasts more than 20 minutes. When myocardial infarction occurs, severe chest pain, cold sweat, and nausea appear together. Myocardial infarction patients are said to be ‘the most painful pain in their life’.
Do you have any other symptoms other than chest pain?
“People with high blood pressure or diabetes should be careful because the symptoms are not clear and may appear as chest tightness or bloating. There were many cases of complaints of shortness of breath, lethargy, fatigue, indigestion, and dizziness.”
If your chest hurts, should you be suspicious of heart disease?
“Not necessarily. There are many diseases that can cause chest pain. It was found that 50% of outpatients had gastroesophageal reflux disease and rib chondritis.”
▷ What should I do if symptoms occur?
“Sudden death occurs at home 80% of the time. If you develop symptoms of a myocardial infarction, you must call 911 and go to the nearest hospital emergency room. The key is how quickly and properly CPR is performed.”
What should I do if my coronary artery is blocked?
“I do coronary intervention. It is a procedure to open a blocked coronary artery by inserting a metal wire mesh that looks like a ballpoint pen spring called a stent. It enters the heart through the blood vessels in the arms or legs and then treats blocked or narrowed blood vessels without leaving a scar on the chest.”
▷ Can everyone receive stenting?
“Just because arteriosclerosis has occurred and the blood vessels have narrowed, it does not mean that stenting is unconditional. Angiography and intravascular ultrasound are used to determine whether to have a stent. Recently, the effect of drug treatment has improved and the prognosis is excellent. Patients with stable cardiovascular disease are sometimes treated with drugs.”
▷ What are some management practices that can be practiced in your daily life?
“An American Heart Association study found that increased physical activity reduced blood pressure by 3 to 4 mm Hg. Those who were physically active had a 21% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 36% lower risk of death than those who were not physically active. You should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (such as brisk walking) or 75 minutes of high-intensity exercise (such as running) each week.”
Many people take aspirin. Is it possible for people with cardiovascular disease?
“People with cardiovascular disease can benefit greatly from taking aspirin. However, it is not recommended for people who are not at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease, people over 60 years of age, and the general population. It is best to consult a specialist.”
Reporter Kim Jong-un [email protected]
