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Published on: Jul 27, 2020
2 minute read
By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

Cardiovascular Risk Factors Explained

To understand why we asked you these questions, we have provided a short explanation of how these risk factors increase the chance of you having heart disease. In many cases, these factors filter down to common pathways and can work together to increase the probability and damage of heart disease. Having one factor can also make it more likely to develop a second – overweight patients and those who do not exercise are more likely to develop insulin resistance and become diabetic.

High Blood Pressure:

High Blood pressure is one of the most important risk factors for your cardiovascular health. 54% of strokes and 47% of heart disease worldwide can be attributed to high blood pressure. Ideally this should be kept below 140/90 if you are aged 80 or younger.

High blood pressure can cause damage to the linings of your arteries. This can make it easier for them to become blocked with fat, preventing blood from flowing to important organs. In the heart, this causes pain when exerting yourself.

Smoking:

Smoking is very bad for your health. We cannot stress this enough. Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals, hundreds of toxic ones, and 69 that directly cause cancer. There are no health benefits to smoking, and it increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, renal damage, as well as lung cancer, mouth cancer, oesophageal cancer, laryngeal cancer, colorectal cancer and more. If there is cancer, smoking increases its risk.

Lipids:

A diet high in lipids and cholesterol can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. High cholesterol can account for as much as 56% of all heart disease cases, and 18% of strokes. Cholesterol can accumulate in the walls of your arteries, causing them to narrow. This can limit blood flow to important organs, causing pain or stroke like symptoms. This process is called atherosclerosis (artery hardening).

If this plaque ruptures, then a large clot can form, which can completely block an artery. If this happens in the coronary arteries of the heart it can cause a heart attack. In the brain it will cause a stroke. In both cases if parts of the heart or brain die, your health can deteriorate significantly. It can even cause death.

Diabetes:

Diabetes occurs when the body does not respond as well to insulin. This can increase the level of blood sugars in your body. At least 68% of people over 65 years old with diabetes die from heart disease. 16% die of stroke. If you have diabetes you are two to four times more likely to die from heart disease.

High blood sugars cause damage to the heart and arteries in multiple ways. The sugars themselves cause damage to small arteries supplying your heart and eyes, as well as damage to the nerves and kidneys themselves. In the eyes this diabetic retinopathy can cause worsening vision, in the kidneys, it can affect filtration and cause diabetic nephropathy.

It also increases the risk of high cholesterol and atherosclerosis, as well as causing chronic inflammation in the arteries and increasing the likelihood of blood clotting.

Weight and exercise:

Being overweight or obese, or not exercising daily, can increase your risk of heart disease. The effects of obesity are deeper than just additional fat and appearances. It can cause deep-seated changes to your body’s metabolism, leading to a condition called metabolic syndrome.

Obesity can cause your blood cholesterol levels to rise, due to the high amount of fat in your diet and also deposited around your body. This can also increase insulin resistance and therefore lead to diabetes. Finally, a large amount of fat tissue needs more blood to supply it with oxygen. The heart needs to pump harder to meet this demand, putting it under strain, and it can cause your blood pressure to rise.

Exercise acts in the opposite way. It reduces the amount of cholesterol in your blood, reduces your risk of diabetes and can lower your blood pressure.

Family History:

If you have a family history of heart disease, you are unfortunately at a higher risk of having heart disease yourself. This does depend on whether it is a close family member who has been diagnosed, and the age they were diagnosed. The younger their diagnosis, the closer the family relation, the stronger the link.

This is because your genes can influence the likelihood of you developing some of the risk factors we have listed above. There is no single gene, it is usually a combination of genes, each one subtly increasing the risk until it has an effect on your health.

You cannot change your genes, but you can change the other modifiable risk factors we have discussed above.

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10 Early Signs of Cancer Most Indians Ignore

Cancer is a growing concern in India, with cases rising due to lifestyle changes, genetic factors, and environmental triggers. Early detection plays a crucial role in successful treatment and recovery. Unfortunately, many people tend to overlook early signs of cancer, mistaking them for minor health issues. In this article, we will discuss 10 early signs of cancer that most Indians ignore, how to detect them early, and essential cancer prevention tips.

1. Unexplained Weight Loss

If you are losing weight without any changes in diet or exercise, it could be a warning sign of cancer. Cancers of the stomach, pancreas, esophagus, and lungs can cause sudden weight loss. If you experience unexplained weight loss of more than 5 kg, consult a doctor immediately.

2. Persistent Fatigue

Feeling excessively tired despite getting enough rest may indicate an underlying health issue, including cancer. Leukemia, colon, and stomach cancers are often linked to extreme fatigue. If fatigue persists without an identifiable reason, it is advisable to get a medical evaluation.

3. Changes in Bowel or Bladder Habits

Frequent diarrhea, constipation, or blood in the stool may signal colorectal cancer, while changes in urination patterns may indicate bladder or prostate cancer. If you notice prolonged changes in your bowel or bladder habits, seek medical attention.

4. Non-Healing Sores

A sore that does not heal within a few weeks could be a sign of oral cancer or skin cancer. Smokers and tobacco users should be especially vigilant about mouth ulcers, as they are at higher risk of developing signs of oral cancer.

5. Persistent Cough or Hoarseness

A cough lasting more than three weeks, especially if accompanied by blood, could be a symptom of lung cancer. Hoarseness that persists might be linked to throat or thyroid cancer. How to detect cancer early in such cases involves consulting a specialist if respiratory symptoms do not improve.

6. Lumps or Thickening of Tissue

The presence of lumps in the breast, testicles, or other parts of the body should not be ignored. Common cancer types in India, such as breast and testicular cancer, often present as painless lumps in their early stages. Early medical evaluation can prevent progression.

7. Difficulty Swallowing

Persistent difficulty swallowing, also known as dysphagia, could be an early symptom of throat, esophageal, or stomach cancer. If swallowing problems continue despite dietary adjustments, a medical examination is necessary.

8. Unexplained Bleeding

Unusual bleeding, such as blood in urine, stool, or coughing up blood, is a serious warning sign of cancer. Cervical and endometrial cancers may cause abnormal vaginal bleeding. It is crucial to get tested if such symptoms occur.

9. Skin Changes

Skin abnormalities, such as dark patches, changes in moles, or persistent itching, can be indicators of skin cancer. If a mole grows, changes color, or starts bleeding, it is important to consult a dermatologist immediately.

10. Persistent Pain

Pain that does not go away, especially in the bones or back, can sometimes be an early sign of cancer. While pain alone is not definitive, unexplained or long-lasting pain should be evaluated by a medical professional.

How to Detect Cancer Early

Early detection greatly improves the chances of successful treatment. Here are some tips to catch cancer in its initial stages:

Regular Health Check-ups: Routine screenings, such as mammograms, Pap smears, and colonoscopies, help in detecting cancer before symptoms appear.
Self-Examinations: Checking for lumps, unusual moles, or changes in bodily functions can help identify potential issues early.
Knowing Family History: If there is a family history of cancer, it is advisable to go for genetic counseling and regular screenings.
Seeking Medical Attention Promptly: Do not ignore persistent symptoms. Early diagnosis is key to effective treatment.

Cancer Prevention Tips

While cancer cannot always be prevented, adopting a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk. Here are some essential cancer prevention tips:

Quit Smoking and Tobacco Use: Tobacco consumption is one of the leading causes of signs of oral cancer and lung cancer in India. Avoiding tobacco can drastically reduce your risk.
Eat a Healthy Diet: A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains supports overall health and lowers cancer risk.
Maintain a Healthy Weight: Obesity increases the risk of several cancers, including breast and colorectal cancer. Regular exercise is key to maintaining a healthy weight.
Limit Alcohol Consumption: Excessive alcohol intake has been linked to liver, breast, and digestive tract cancers. Limiting alcohol can help reduce cancer risk.
Protect Yourself from the Sun: Skin cancer can be prevented by using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding excessive sun exposure.
Get Vaccinated: Vaccinations against Hepatitis B and HPV can prevent liver and cervical cancer, respectively.
Avoid Exposure to Carcinogens: Limit exposure to harmful chemicals, such as asbestos and radiation, that are known to cause cancer.

Conclusion

Awareness is the first step toward preventing and detecting cancer early. Ignoring early signs can lead to late-stage diagnosis and reduced treatment success. By understanding these early signs of cancer, following cancer prevention tips, and undergoing regular screenings, individuals can significantly lower their risk. If you experience any of these symptoms, do not hesitate to consult a healthcare professional. How to detect cancer early is crucial knowledge that can save lives.

By staying informed and proactive, we can fight the rising incidence of common cancer types in India and ensure better health outcomes for all.