Urbanisation and westernization of lifestyle have brought a scourge to Africa’s doorstep. There has been an increase in reported cases of heart attacks and other heart diseases not only in Kenya but in the greater sub-Saharan Africa.
Previously more focus was placed on fighting communicable diseases such as malaria and HIV/ Aids as these were the leading causes of death in earlier years. However, cardiovascular diseases have steadily and quickly climbed up the morbidity ladder and they are now the number one cause of death worldwide.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 17.7 million people died from cardiovascular diseases in 2015 globally, with three-quarters of these deaths taking place in middle and low-income countries.
The death of Kenya’s Interior Cabinet Secretary, Rtd. Maj Gen. Joseph Nkaissery shook the country to the core. This was largely because of the sudden and unexpected nature of his departure. Reports indicated that he had attended to his various functions and nothing in his demeanour foreboded what was to come. A postmortem later revealed that he died as a result of a heart attack.
According to Dr. Daniel Nduiga, an interventional cardiologist, a heart attack occurs when the blood supply to heart muscles is interrupted, denying them sufficient oxygen to function as they should. The most common cause of heart attacks is coronary heart disease (CHD). This is brought about by deposits of a waxy substance called plaque (atherosclerosis). It takes time to pile up in the arteries that supply oxygen to the heart muscles. Sometimes owing to various body changes, the plaque could burst leading to bleeding and the formation of a clot. Clotting is the natural way for the human body to stop bleeding. The clot formed may partially or fully block the artery leading to insufficient or lack of oxygen supply to the heart muscles.
Save a life
Knowing the symptoms of a heart attack could save a life especially when quick action is taken. One needs to promptly visit a doctor if he or she experiences chest pains, tightness or upper body discomfort, breathlessness, fatigue, or dizziness. Symptoms vary from person to person; whereas one individual may experience severe pain, another may feel little or no pain.
Lifestyle changes are largely to blame for the rise of this epidemic. Among the risk factors is high blood pressure, which is asymptomatic. This means that symptoms may not present themselves and therefore diagnosis of high blood pressure is often made “accidentally” during a triage at the hospital or after it has wreaked havoc in the body causing damage to the heart, kidneys, and other body organs.
It is important to know one’s blood pressure and seek medical advice in case of abnormal pressure. High blood pressure speeds up atherosclerosis thereby leading to heart attacks. Uncontrolled diabetes could also lead to high blood pressure. Controlling diabetes is important in preventing this domino effect.
The cholesterol factor
High blood cholesterol is another predisposing factor. It leads to the development of plaque deposits in the arteries. Plaque is often composed of a fatty substance, calcium, and fibrous materials among other blood components. It is often thought that lean people do not have high cholesterol. This is not always the case as people with a normal BMI may have high blood cholesterol predisposing them to heart attacks.
The sedentary lifestyle embraced by most urban individuals is a ticking time bomb. People who rarely participate in any physical activities are at risk of suffering from obesity and high blood cholesterol and in turn heart attack. One therefore needs to make an effort to shed excess weight through reduced calorie intake and exercise. A 30-minute daily exercise is important in helping the body burn excess calories. Exercise is not necessarily hardcore gym work. Walking, jogging or rope skipping are examples of simple exercises.
A family history of heart attacks may also predispose one to heart attacks. There is nothing individuals can do about their genetics but doctors recommend an annual health check-up to get a snapshot of the current situation of body functions.
It also helps in arresting potential health conditions through early intervention. Partially blocked or narrow blood vessels can be treated in time before a catastrophe strikes.
September 29 is World Heart Day. Join the world in marking this day by ensuring that your heart is healthy.
Knowing what to do in the event of a heart attack is important. A lot of institutions, including the Red Cross Society of Kenya, St. John’s Ambulance, and The Karen Hospital offer Basic Life Support training. Always remember C-A-B; circulation, airway, and breathing. These three focus points could mean the difference between life and death.
If the individual is conscious rush them to the nearest health facility for immediate medical help. Before arrival at the hospital, monitor their response and alertness. If the individual is unconscious begin CPR (Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) using the C-A-B sequence mentioned. The brain dies four minutes after it has been deprived of oxygen; this means quick thinking and fast action is needed.
Resuscitation
Begin chest compressions in a bid to facilitate the pumping of blood, ensure the airway is open by slight backward tilting of the head, and breathe gently into the individual’s mouth. This should be done at a ratio of 16:1 – for every 16 chest compressions, breath once into the patient’s mouth. The mouth-to-mouth breathing and the chest compression should be done until you get to the hospital.
Above all else make healthy choices. Avoid smoking, use of hard drugs, excessive drinking of alcohol, and stress. “Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live,” Jim Rohn.
Published in the Print Issue of September 2017, updated December 2023
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