The heart acts as the center of life. Therefore, we must take care of our heart to be strong. With a proactive prevention approach to keep your cardiovascular health strong and effective at all times.

Why do you need a heart health check?

Because the heart is an important organ and works hard all the time. Makes it easy to be at risk And people always have risk factors for heart disease. Especially coronary artery disease which has both controllable risk factors and risk factors that cannot be controlled

Risk factors that cannot be controlled. Including

• Age – The risk of heart disease generally increases with age.
• Genetics – People with a family history of coronary artery disease. There will be an increased risk.
• Gender - Men are more at risk for heart disease than women before menopause.

Risk factors that can be controlled. Including

• Hypertension - Allowing high blood pressure to persist for a long time. Will make the heart work harder. To pump blood to nourish the body The heart muscle will become thicker. Your heart will grow Hardened and clogged arteries myocardial infarction and eventually leads to heart failure.
• Smoking – People who smoke are at risk for heart disease. 2 - 4 times more than non-smokers because the free radicals contained in cigarettes cause the cells at the endothelium to deteriorate. Causes the blood vessels that supply the heart to become constricted. which leads to myocardial infarction.
• Blood fat levels – People with high LDL cholesterol levels. There will be a higher risk of heart disease. Such fat causes blood vessel walls to thicken. and blood vessels narrow Less blood flow Until finally the coronary arteries become blocked and myocardial infarction occurs.
• Diabetes – Diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Including the blood vessels that go to various parts deteriorating.
• Lack of exercise – People who rarely exercise are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Regular exercise It will help prevent cardiovascular disease. It can also help control other risk factors such as blood pressure, blood cholesterol levels. and diabetes
• Obesity - People with a body mass index of 30 kg / m² are considered at risk for cardiovascular disease. Body mass index can be calculated from body weight. (in kilograms) divided by height (Units are meters²). However, if there are other risk factors involved, even a body mass index of 25 kg/m² is considered to be at increased risk of heart disease.
• Pollution and dust PM 2.5 - that the body has been exposed to for a long time

Abnormal symptoms. that indicates the risk of heart disease

• Chest pain. This is often found in patients whose coronary arteries are quite blocked. There will be severe chest pain that is unbearable. It's like there's something heavy pressing against the middle of his chest. or pain from the chest up to the chin or pain down to the left arm
• Holding breath and feeling more tired than usual
• Heart palpitations, profuse sweating
• Unconsciousness or cardiac arrest (Heart Attack)

Heart Health Checkup What must I do?

• Examine yourself and find risks
• Recognize the importance of various signs and symptoms related to heart disease symptoms. As mentioned above
• Drawing blood to look for various diseases
• Belt walking (EST)
• High frequency echo examination or Echocardiogram
• Using CT to look at Calcium score or find stenosis of blood vessels
• Carotid ultrasound examination to find slag in the blood vessels in the neck
• Measuring arterial stiffness and whether there is peripheral artery stenosis (ABI)

How important is it to check your heart health with the BWC Ultrasound Carotid package?

    By investigating disease with complete and modern testing. To find lesions in the blood vessels of various parts of the body, there is a package that includes specific examinations in that part. Cardiovascular In order to get the most complete and accurate information. To plan to protect yourself from cardiovascular disease.

Practices for those found to have coronary artery disease or coronary artery disease

1. Take medicine strictly as prescribed by your doctor. and come for inspection every time.
2. Eat vegetables, fruits and drink at least 2-3 liters of water per day.
3. Eat food until you are full. And you should rest after eating for about 30 minutes - 1 hour.
4. You should exercise regularly. especially walking You can start by walking slowly at first, then gradually increase the distance, but don't let yourself exceed your strength.
5. Make your mind calm. Find an opportunity to relax. and find ways to reduce stress Avoid things that are exciting, such as watching exciting games.
6. Avoid eating foods that are high in fat and salty.
7. Stop drinking alcohol. and avoid smoking
8. Avoid heavy work, rushed work, and work that must be done continuously for a long time.
9. When you have chest pain. Stop that activity and see a doctor immediately.

Educational article by Dr. Chattanong Yodwutti

Doctor who specializes in cardiovascular disease, BDMS Wellness Clinic