How to prevent mini-strokes (TIAs) by early detection?

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When it comes to TIAs (transient ischemic attacks) better known as mini-strokes, early recognition of symptoms is essential. The episodes of mini-strokes are indicative of a medical emergency. A 49 year old woman recorded her facial movements on her Smartphone. The video helped physicians figure out that it was a stroke. The woman underwent an MRI to confirm it and the results were positive.

To prevent strokes from happening, it is crucial to get one’s health evaluated for various risk factors related to heart problems. One should get checked for hypertension, elevated lipids, plaque buildup in the arteries and diabetes mellitus.

Other than that, sticking to a healthy lifestyle is capable of dramatically decreasing the chances of strokes. Low-risk lifestyle includes regular exercising, maintaining right body weight, healthy diet, and not smoking. Right body mass index is essential to avoid strokes. Those who drink alcohol should moderate their alcohol consumption.

There is a three-part stroke test that emergency medical personnel use for evaluating the possibility of a stroke. In the first part of test, patient is asked to smile or show his teeth. The results of this test will be considered abnormal if one side of the face is partially droopy.

In the second phase, the patient under observation is asked to extend his arms straight out for ten seconds with his eyes closed. If one arm does not move, and the other arm drifts down it means the test result is abnormal.

The third part of the test is to check abnormal speech. For that, patient is asked to repeat a long sentence. If the patient utters wrong words, or cannot speak properly, it means the test result is not normal.

An important risk factor associated with stroke is hypertension. High blood pressure is often silent and doesn’t exhibit any signs. One should get oneself checked for hypertension. The best way to assess risk factors of strokes is to get a complete evaluation done by contacting the best cardiologist in NYC. The complete evaluation includes physical examination, blood tests, and carotid ultrasound. Carotid ultrasound checks if there is plaque building up in the blood vessels.

Risks and causes of sudden cardiac death

Sudden cardiac death refers to a condition in which the heart suddenly stops working. In such a condition, blood flow to the brain and other vital organs of the human body, stops.

The inner electrical system of the human heart regulates rate and rhythm of its heartbeat. Any issue in this system can cause abnormal heartbeats known as arrhythmia. In this condition, the heartbeat can either get too fast or slow and can also result in uneven heartbeats. When that happens, the blood flow to the body may be diminished.

A Top cardiologist NYC suggests two major causes of sudden cardiac death:

Coronary Artery Disease

When plaque builds up in arteries, it leads to coronary heart disease. The coronary arteries supply oxygen rich blood to the heart muscles. When the arteries get narrow, blood flow to the heart muscle decreases. The inadequate blood supply causes a blot clot to form on the surface of plaque. The blood clot can completely block the flow of the blood causing heart attack.

Coronary artery disease is the major cause of sudden cardiac death in adults.

Physical Stress

Excessive physical stress also causes the heart’s electrical system to fail. A hormone named adrenaline is released in the body during extreme physical activity. This hormone increases risk of getting sudden cardiac arrest.

Major risk factors

• Undiagnosed CAD is one of the major risks, causing sudden cardiac arrest.
• Excessive intake of alcohol also puts an individual on the risk of getting sudden cardiac arrest.
• Heart attack and heart failure are also the major causes of SCD.

Signs and symptoms of sudden cardiac death

Loss of consciousness is the first thing to happen, when on the risk of sudden cardiac death. Some people feel lightheaded and giddy before they faint. Within an hour before the cardiac arrest, some people also suffer chest pain, vomiting, breathlessness, and queasiness.



Sudden Cardiac Death is not a heart attack

Sudden cardiac arrest is not a heart attack. A heart attack occurs, when blood does not reach the heart muscles, due to any blockage. The heart may stop functioning abruptly when somebody gets a heart attack. However, the heart stops functioning unexpectedly in case of sudden cardiac arrest. This condition may occur after recovering from heart attack or any other severe heart condition.

How obesity affects the heart?

Obesity increases body mass index and fats in the body. Individuals with elevated body mass index are termed as obese. Increased body mass means the heart needs to pump more blood.

The heart works hard to pump blood in to the entire body of the obese, increasing stress on the heart. Fatty molecules present in the blood constricts blood vessels and makes it difficult for the heart to push blood through vessels.

Can obesity cause heart failure?

Excessive stress on the heart can cause heart failure. Normally this happens when heart muscles die due to lack of supply of oxygen secondary to the fat clogged blood vessels, which restrict blood flow.

Obesity is one of the major reasons that cause heart attacks. It raises blood pressure levels, cholesterol levels and triglycerides levels which lead to  formation of plaque in the arteries.

It also brings down the level of good cholesterol in the body. Good cholesterol prevents formation of plaque. Besides this, obesity causes an increase in blood pressure levels and also leads to diabetes and simultaneously increases the risk of coronary heart disease.

Preventing obesity

Consulting with an expert cardiologist NYC is essential to get the right guidance. After consultation, one must strictly follow all the guidelines suggested by the doctor. There are certain changes and activities that assist you in fulfilling your purpose of maintaining ideal weight:

1. Be active all the time

Making small changes in your daily routine will help you in reducing your weight. Use stairs instead of the elevator. Go for a morning and evening walk to burn more calories. Start exercising.

2. Eat healthy

Eat lots of vegetables and fruits and avoid eating junk and oily food items. Before you eat, check the labels of the food to see the number of calories per serving and saturated fats.

3. Keep track of your weight regularly

Monitor your weight regularly. Doing this will help you in determining how much extra flab you have reduced, and much more you need to shed.

Maintaining your heart’s health is important for healthy living. Take care of your eating habits and activities you carry out on a daily basis, to prevent heart issues.