Get To Know The Types of Heart Disease and How To Prevent

Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in Malaysia for the past few years. According to a report by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, heart disease, specifically coronary artery disease covers 15.6% of deaths in 2018 with an average death of 50 people a day!

Types of Heart Disease

1. Coronary Artery Disease (Coronary Artery Disease)

This disease is the most common heart disease among Malaysians and around the world. It occurs as a result of the accumulation of plaque in the coronary arteries, the arteries that carry blood and oxygen to the heart, causing the death of the heart muscle immediately and can be fatal.

2. Arrhythmia

Arrhythmia occurs when the heartbeat becomes irregular and uneven. These heart rhythm disorders can be categorized as either too fast (tachyarrhythmia) or too slow (bradyarrhythmia). Symptoms of this arrhythmic disease may include shortness of breath, palpitations and chest pain.

3. Congenital Heart Disease

This heart disease is usually seen in infants and children. Congenital heart disease usually occurs due to incomplete anatomical structure of the heart or disruption in the flow of blood in and out of the heart. Among the risks of heart disease are, alcohol consumption by pregnant mothers, and also diseases such as Rubella infection.

Did you know?

The main cause of heart attack, stroke and heart failure is high blood pressure.

Take Self-Assessment

4. Heart Failure 

Heart failure can occur due to various factors related to the heart or other organs. Causes that can contribute to heart failure including coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and high blood pressure. These problems often cause the heart muscles to work harder to pump blood throughout the body. Over time, these heart muscles will become thick, or weak and can not cope well anymore. 

5. Heart Valve Disease

Our heart has 4 chambers and each chamber is separated by a valve that serves to prevent blood from flowing back to the previous chamber. The heart valve can become so hard that it does not open completely and make it difficult for blood flow, or it becomes weak so that it does not close completely thus causing blood to flow backwards. Both of these problems are caused by various factors such as infection or inflammation of the valves and aging. Untreated heart valve disease can lead to heart failure.

Symptoms of Heart Disease

Different heart diseases will give different symptoms. However, the most common symptoms of heart disease are:

• Chest pain

• Shortness of breath during rest or while doing activity

• Stronger heartbeat

• Fatigue even when not doing activity or heavy work

• Pain, numbness, or weakness in the limbs (usually left)

• Pain in jaw, neck, upper abdomen or back

If you experience any of the above symptoms, or suspect you have a heart disease, please seek hospital treatment immediately.

Causes of Heart Disease

• Smoking

Smoking increases the risk of heart disease by 4 times more than those who do not smoke. Each cigarette contains over 4000 toxic substances that can damage the circulatory system.

• Diabetes

Uncontrolled diabetes can cause a variety of complications including coronary artery disease. Excess sugar in the blood will produce substances that can damage the walls of blood vessels, causing plaque formation that will eventually clog the vessels.

• Hypertension

Uncontrolled high blood pressure causes injury to the walls of the coronary arteries, peripheral blood vessels and also increases the pressure inside the heart. All of these problems tend to increase the risk of heart failure.

• Obesity

If your BMI exceeds 27.5kg / m₂ (Asian Classification), you have a 4 times higher risk of heart disease. The high content of bad cholesterol in the body can accumulate in the coronary arteries and produce plaques that interfere with blood flow to the heart muscle. 

• Lack of Physical Activity

Inactive lifestyle practices are one of the main factors in the occurrence of obesity which is a major risk of heart disease.

• Alcohol

Consumption of alcoholic beverages in excessive quantities is also one of the causes of heart disease. 

• Stress

Management of stress is divided into physical (fatigue), psychological (loneliness, conflict, heartbreak) and social (unemployment, divorce). Poorly managed stress can be detrimental not only to your mental health, but also to your heart health.

• Family History

Family history with a heart disease is also a risk of this health problem. However, the percentage is much lower than the modifiable risks such as lifestyle changes and disease control.

• Gender

Men are at higher risk for heart disease, According to the MOH report, 1 in 3 adult men suffer from high blood pressure and 1 in 4 adult men suffer from high cholesterol levels. Both of these factors are major risk factors for heart disease.

How to Prevent Heart Disease

1. Quarter Quarter Half Diet

Most of us surely have heard of the healthy plate program by MOH known as “quarter quarter half”. The concept of this program is ideal for every member of the whole family to practice even if you are a healthy person. Discipline ourselves to eat in the right quantity. Take a quarter of carbohydrates, a quarter of protein and fill half of your plate with vegetables and fruits of various colours.

Despite having an ideal weight, without realizing, as a result of unbalanced diet practices, there are hidden fats in vital organs in the body. This situation is more popularly known as TOFI (“Thin Outside, Fat Inside”). In conclusion, a thin body does not mean you are free from heart disease. Eat in moderation according to the set guidelines.

Also reduce your intake of sugar and salt. Avoid taking a minimum of 3 in 1 which is advertised with various benefits. In fact, it contains excess sugar which is more than 3 teaspoons as well as high creamer content.

2. Your Body Needs Exercise, Let’s Walk

Exercise can improve your physical fitness and improve the ability to control blood sugar levels. Other than that, exercise also reduces the problem of obesity and reduces stress. Moderate exercise such as walking and cycling is adequate if done with the right frequency of time to increase the heartbeat at a safe and good rate.

3. Stop Smoking Now!

If smoking addiction is not at a severe level, this habit can be stopped without the use of medications. There are some smoking cessation tips that you can practice on your own at home.

• Keep busy- Do something to divert your mind
• Drink enough water – Drink boiled water and avoid caffeinated drinks
• Bathe regularly and wash your hands often to divert your mind
• Practice meditation or sports
• Take a deep breath- Take a deep breath 3 times slowly

However, if smoking addiction is at a serious and alarming level, please seek help from a Smoking Cessation Clinic. Doctors will help you to reduce the addiction either with medications or nicotine replacement therapy.

4. Make Regular Health Check-ups

Everyone, especially those who are at risk of heart disease, needs to have regular check-ups at any clinic to ensure that your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels are at a good level. If you experience any symptoms of heart disease such as shortness of breath, chest pain etc. Please consult a doctor so that appropriate treatment can be given to you.