Warren, Ohio (WKBN) – Friday is the last day of National Heart Health Month, but that doesn’t mean that people should stop focusing on their health.
In the United States, someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds.
WKBN talked with cardiologist Dr. Shyam Bhakta with Insight Hospital & Medical Center Trumbull who said they’re seeing an increase in heart disease among young people due to high blood pressure, obesity, and smoking, including using vaping products.
Vaping might not have the same effects as combustible smoke but it still contains nicotine, which is damaging to the heart and blood vessels.
This is the first “Heart Health Month” since recreational marijuana was legalized in Ohio, and Bhakta said there is not enough research on the long-term effects, but marijuana does impact heart rate and blood pressure and can cause depression and anxiety.
When it comes to alcohol, Bhakta said it can cause high blood pressure, heart failure, and increases the risk of stroke and cancer.
“We used to think that wine was beneficial for the heart, but those studies that were done, those were old studies done in the 1980s and 1990s, and there’s what we call selection bias,” said Bhakta.
He doesn’t recommend abstinence from alcohol, but moderation is key. For women, that means keeping it to one drink per day, and for men, two. Body mass index also plays a role in those recommendations.
Eating properly is also key. Dr. Bhakta said no diet is perfect, but the so-called “Mediterranean Diet” offers a good outline of what someone should be eating. It focuses on consuming plant-based foods, fish, and chicken, as well as limiting red meat intake.
Overall, just eating a well-balanced diet is the key. Regularly exercising is also important, and it doesn’t have to be anything too intense. You can take a quick 15-minute walk outside. In the colder months, taking a stroll down some extra aisles at the store can sneak in those steps.
For those who enjoy caffeine, Bhakta said drinking it in moderation is OK, but too much can impact your heart and blood pressure.
Stress is something many people experience every day, and unfortunately, it is hard to avoid.
“Life is challenging, life is very tough, but I think finding ways to cope with it. I think regular exercise is a good way to relax and alleviate some of the stress. I think getting adequate sleep, making sure you get at least 7 hours of sleep per night, is an effective way to deal with it. Then, if you’re in stressful situations, having coping mechanisms: going into a quiet room, drinking hot tea, doing meditation and breathing exercises can help as well,” Bhakta said.
So what are signs that something could be wrong with your heart? The most common symptom is pain in the middle of your chest that happens with activity. It might feel like it’s squeezing, crushing, stabbing, or sharp, but it goes away when you catch your breath and are resting.
If your heartbeat is racing or pounding, that could be a sign of a heart rhythm problem. If you have any of these symptoms, acting early is key. Go to the emergency room, or call 911.
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