5 types of Heart disease in children can be:

1. Congenital Heart Disease: If a child born with some heart defect, it is called congenital heart disease. There are some conditions of the heart that come under congenital heart disease like holes in the heart, heart valve disorders, underdeveloped heart. These congenital heart diseases are usually treated with surgery, medication, or heart transplant.

2. Arrhythmias: Arrhythmias is a condition in which children have an irregular heartbeat or abnormal heart rhythm. This heart defect is associated with fast Heart rate (Supraventricular Tachycardia), slow Heart rate (bradycardia), Long QT syndrome (a heart condition that can cause fast, chaotic heartbeats that might trigger a sudden fainting spell or seizure).

3. Kawasaki Disease: In this, children get swelling (inflammation) in the walls of medium-sized arteries throughout the body. This inflammation tends to affect the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle. Children having high fever and peeling skin can be symptomatic for Kawasaki disease.

4. Heart Murmur: Heart murmurs are basically the heart sound made by blood flowing in or near the Heart. It is not a disease but sometimes it may signify an underlying cardiovascular problem. Heart murmurs can be congenital or develop later in life.

5. Vascular Rings: Vascular rings are the malformation of the aortic arch and/or its associated blood vessels. The trachea and the esophagus are fully encircled and often surrounded by the “ring” created by these vessels, which may contribute to breathing and digestive problems. It is congenital heart disease. 

Diagnosis of Heart problems in children can occur soon after birth or during the first few months of life. The symptoms that children show can be:

If your child has any of the above signs or symptoms as he or she grows, call your child’s doctor or consult a cardiologist. They will let you know if your child’s symptoms are due to a heart defect or another medical condition.

Patients underlying weak immune system, Diabetic and heart diseases are a great concern. So, to advise patients with underlying cardiovascular disease of the potential increased risk and to encourage reasonable precautions, Dr. Dinesh Sehgal, Interventional Cardiologist at Sapra Multispecialty Hospital, Hisar was invited at Talk@Jugaadin News.

He informed  ”According to a study, the Heart patients can get affected by the virus in several ways. Though the primary focus of Coronavirus is the lungs, but this could have an impact on the heart, particularly the diseased heart, because it has to work hard to get oxygenated blood through the body. In this way, the problem for coronary heart patients increases as the heart is already having difficulty in pumping the blood. Also, the person suffering from heart issues might have a weak immune system so when virus attacks, the body’s immune system can’t fight back with foreign particles. Also, immunity decreases with aging that’ why aged persons are also at risk of getting infection easily. These patients with heart diseases can be considered as High-risk Patients.

He also explained the new coronavirus, spreads through droplets in the air when someone coughs or sneezes. He recommends that people should protect themselves by adopting some very useful habits:

Health factors that increase the risk of Heart Disease

1. Blood Cholesterol: Cholesterol is a waxy, oil-based substance that is both good and bad for the body when present at normal levels. It is produced by your body and you make it through your food also.  Cholesterol helps in many body functions like contributing to the structure of cell walls, making up digestive bile acids in the intestine, allowing the body to produce vitamin D, enabling the body to make certain hormones.

 But above the marked level, it can become a silent killer for the person. High cholesterol is the main reason for Heart attacks. For more information on how to manage the cholesterol level, click http://news.jugaadin.com/manage-your-cholesterol-level-to-prevent-heart-attack/

2. High Blood Pressure: Blood pressure is the act of blood pushing against the walls of arteries. High blood pressure is diagnosed when it remains elevated for extended periods of time. High blood pressure can cause damage to our heart and arteries, which can lead to heart disease, stroke, and other major complications. To know natural methods of lowering the high blood pressure, click http://news.jugaadin.com/worried-of-high-blood-pressure-adopt-natural-ways-to-lower-it/

3. Diabetes: The body needs glucose for energy. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas which helps in converting glucose into energy.  A person suffering from diabetes is unable to process insulin in the body. This causes blood sugar to grow that’s why adults with diabetes are at higher risk of death from heart disease than adults without diabetes.

4. The lack of sufficient physical activity can lead to heart disease. It can also increase the chances of other risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, having other medical conditions.

5. Drinking Alcohol: Excess of alcohol raises blood pressure levels and increases the risk for heart disease. It increases the level of triglycerides, a fatty substance in the blood that can increase the risk of heart disease.

6. Smoking can damage the heart and blood vessels, which increases the risk of heart conditions such as heart attack and atherosclerosis.

These are some of the factors that are related to lifestyle and by controlling these factors one can prevent occurring of heart disease.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist/ cardiologist or your own doctor for more information. Jugaadin news has no responsibility for any information.

Cold weather creates a problem in blood circulation but a person can stay warm and healthy if he takes some precautions.

How cold weather affects heart health

During winters, cold temperature constricts the blood vessels and makes it difficult to transport the blood to the brain and other major organs. This forces the heart to work harder; as a result, the heart demands more oxygen-rich blood. This mismatch of demand and supply in the blood sets the heart on the Heart attack.

The signs of a heart attack:

•             Pain in the chest that can cause discomfort

•             Pain in including the arms, back, neck, or jaw

•             Shortness of breath

•             Feeling lightheaded or nauseous

There are many steps a person suffering from cardiac problems can take to keep him warm are:

1. When there is too much cold outside, try to stay indoors and keep yourself warm with the hot water bottle and electric blanket.

2. Wear a cap, scarf, and gloves while going outside in a chilly climate. When you experience the ill effects of angina, wear a scarf wrapped freely around your mouth and nose, so you take in hotter air. This may restrain your side effects. Wrap up warm in layers. Wearing layers of clothes can help keep you hotter.

3.  Have hot drinks like vegetable soup and hot water to keep the body warm and heart-healthy.

4. Try to keep yourself safe from any infection. In case of fever, headache, cough or cold, consult your general physician or cardiologist for immediate relief.

Keep your heart safe and healthy this winter, and all year long.

Dr. Dinesh Sehgal (Interventional cardiologist, Sapra Multispecialty hospital Hisar) giving an overview of the cardiomegaly in the article. He explains the types, causes, symptoms and early diagnosis techniques for a long life.

Types of Cardiomegaly :

Dilated and Hypertrophic cardiomegaly are the conditions that occur due to damage to the heart muscle. In dilated cardiomegaly, the walls of both ventricles become thin and stretched which enlarges the heart.

Whereas in hypertrophic, the left lower ventricular wall gets thickened and becomes less efficient.

Causes of enlargement of Heart

The conditions that cause Heart enlargement are:

Coronary artery disease

High blood pressure

Heart valve Problem

Irregular Heart rhythm

At the time of Pregnancy (Peripartum cardiomyopathy)

HIV Infection

Symptoms of Cardiomegaly

Though enlargement of Heart causes no serious issue, sometimes it can cause Shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, chest pain, tiredness, and swelling.

Whenever anyone feels these symptoms, they should visit a cardiologist or your family doctor for early detection of the condition. A good cardiologist will examine the cardiomegaly condition and prevent it from getting worse. If you have a family history of having an enlarged heart, then you should tell the doctor about this.

By eating a healthy diet and not using alcohol and drugs, one can help reduce the chances of developing heart failure. With proper diet, exercise and medication, it can also prevent many people who have an enlarged heart from developing heart failure by controlling high blood pressure.

Dr. Dinesh Sehgal told “What basically Heart Pain is”? Typical heart pain must be taken seriously and instant attention is needed. Typical heart pain is a central pressure like feeling over the chest, often depicted as an elephant is sitting on the chest. Heart pain can radiate to the arms, back, and jaws. With exertion, it often worsens, association with shortness of breath, and calms down with rest. Nausea and sweating can accompany heart pain. If Heart pain happens at rest and persists for long, then heart pain is unstable and immediate medical attention should be sought.

The symptoms of a typical heart pain include tiredness or just slowing down or being unable to do as much as in the past. Fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness may occur. Indigestion may be there with some leg swelling and shortness of breath.

 If you have symptoms of heart pain such as those outlined, it is important to visit cardiologist as early as possible. If symptoms occur at rest or more frequently then instant medical attention is needed.

1. Sinus bradycardia- In this AV node impedes the functioning of electrical impulse i.e. pumping blood. Because of this, the heart rate decreases to 45 beats per minute. In this situation electrical signals pass through the upper part of the heart. But due to the damage done to AV node, there is no beating in the lower part of the heart. Because of this, the speed of the beat gets interrupted.

2. AV node disease – If your AV node is not working at all but the upper chamber or upper chest has a normal heart rate, that is, your heart beats 80 times every minute. While in the lower chamber your heart beats 40 times a minute. So this means that your overall heart rate is low. Similarly, if there is any damage to the AV node, then your heart rate decreases despite being able to beat the muscles of the lower chamber.

3. Complete heart block – In this condition there can be any problem ranging from damage to heart muscle to blockage in the arteries due to coronary problems or heart attack. In some cases, the lower chamber of the heart is not able to beat properly due to a problem in AV node. This can also result in complete heart block, which can be dangerous.

4. Hypothyroidism – Decreased levels of thyroid cause bradycardia whereas increased levels of thyroid leads to tachycardia (increase in Heart Beat). It makes the lower chamber beats 40 – 50 times per minute due to the pressure of thyroid hormones on the cyanus node. The treatment of bradycardia in this condition depends on the method of treatment for hypothyroidism.

5. Any Heart disorder present at birth (congenital heart defect) can also cause bradycardia.

6. Medications, including some drugs for other heart rhythm disorders, high blood pressure and psychosis can also reduce the heart rate.

Dr. Dinesh Sehgal ( Interventional cardiologist at Sapra Multispeciality Hospital, Hisar suggests that a person should eat food to prevent Heart stroke are:

1. Fruits: Add servings of fresh fruits in your daily diet. Try to incorporate fruit into or after each small meal that you eat.

2. Vegetables: Vegetables are filled with good nutrients including fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Because of all these nutrients, add a raw and cooked form of vegetables in your daily diet to prevent heart diseases.

3. Whole Grains: Stop using processed and refined bread and pasta. Start using whole grains which are rich in iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, B vitamins and dietary fiber.

4. Nuts: These are heart-healthy snack only when used in moderate amount. They help in maintaining cholesterol level as it contains good cholesterol (unsaturated fats). Nuts should be eaten in the limit as they include high calories.

5. Omega 3 Fatty acid-rich food: Include foods that are rich in omega 3 fatty acids as they help in alleviating the high triglycride level. Good source of Omega 3 fatty acids is seafood including salmon and tuna fish, oyster.

Dr. Dinesh Sehgal, (Cardiologist) also suggest what foods should a person must avoid

Sodium intake: It is suggested that an adult should take sodium below 2300 mg/day. It is a dietary addition that has a direct correlation with heart health, increasing blood pressure and putting stress on the arteries in the heart.

Cola Drinks: Sodas and juices aren’t good for us. The link between increased sugar in our diets and heart disease, diabetes and stroke is strong.

Red meat and processed foods: This kind of foods contain saturated fats that can increase cholesterol and risk for heart disease and stroke.

There is a strong connection between heart health and diet. Heart illness, stroke, and diabetes fatalities were attributed to diet. Modifying our diets will make it easier for us to have a healthy heart.

Dr. Dinesh Sehgal, Interventional cardiologist, Sapra multispeciality Hospital explain some signs and reasons that give you an alarm why you should visit the heart physician for maintaining a healthy heart:

1. High Cholesterol level: When the total value of Cholesterol (HDL and LDL) becomes high, your risk for heart disease increases. Always keep a check on cholesterol level with the guidance of your doctor.

2. High Blood Pressure: If you are suffering from high blood pressure and it constantly remains high, then you are at high risk of having heart disease.

3. If you are or were a smoker, you have an increased rate of heart disease. Cigarette smoking is injurious not only for lungs but it also damages the lining of arteries wall and causes blockages.

4. Genetics play an important role in determining the rate of Heart disease. If your parents or forefathers were having heart issues, then it is likely that you also can face Heart diseases.

5. Diabetic patients whose blood sugar level remains high are more susceptible to suffer from High BP, High Cholesterol and Obesity.

6. Preeclampsia: Preeclampsia is a condition in which an expectant mother develops high blood pressure. The condition has been linked to a fourfold increase in the risk of heart failure, making pregnancy the most dangerous time for a woman’s heart outside of the post-menopausal years.

7. Tooth and Gum Disease: Patients with swollen gums often have heart disease.

8. Last but not least, when your family doctor or Physician recommends you to see a cardiologist, you must pay attention to their words and visit the specialized physician as soon as possible.

Signs and Symptoms of a Heart attack in women:

1. Uncomfortable and feeling of heaviness, pressure in the center of the chest for some time.
2. Pain in arms (one or both), back, neck, and jaws, stomach
3. Nausea with a feeling of vomiting or may not be
4. Heavenly sweating
5. Exertion, tiredness, shortness of breath, fatigue

Factors that increase the risk of a Heart attack in women are Diabetes, mental stress, fatigue, depression, smoking, no physical activity, fast food, and menopause.

Precautions one should take to reduce the risk of heart or cardiac attack in women are:

• 1. Eat a healthy diet that includes whole grains, a variety of fruits and vegetables, fat-free dairy products, etc.
• Avoid saturated fat, added sugars, and high amounts of salt
• Maintain the bodyweight
• Regular exercise is must to do on the list
• Quit Smoking
• Stay happy, stay calm

Above all, always be in touch with your physicians regarding cardiac problems.