Understanding Your Heart

YOUR HEART

• HOW DOES IT WORK?

• WHAT IS CORONARY HEART DISEASE?

• WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?

• HOW IS IT TREATED?

• WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR YOUR FUTURE?

Inside the heart

Heart Valves

The coronary arteries

SCAN OF CORONARY ARTERIES

WHAT IS CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE?

PLAQUES INSIDE AN ARTERY

WHAT IS ANGINA?

Characteristics

• A FEELING OF PRESSURE OR CONSTRICTION

• BROUGHT ON BY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OR EMOTIONAL STRESS

• YOU MAY FEEL SHORT OF BREATH

• CAN FEEL LIKE INDIGESTION

• CAN MAKE YOU BURP

• ONLY LASTS A SHORT TIME

• RELIEVED BY REST OR GTN

AREAS YOU MAY FEEL ANGINA

WHAT IS A HEART ATTACK?

• WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?

• HOW DO YOU KNOW?

• WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

WHY DOES IT HAPPEN?

Symptoms

• chest pain or discomfort, which may spread to the arms, neck, jaw, stomach or back

• a dull pain, ache or 'heavy' feeling in your chest

• chest pain or discomfort which feels like indigestion but makes you feel generally unwell

• Rest and use of GTN does not relief the pain

• feeling sick, sweaty, breathless, light headed, dizzy or generally unwell as well as pain or discomfort in your chest.

WHAT ELSE CAUSES CHEST PAIN?

• INDIGESTION

• ANXIETY

• PULLED MUSCLE AND JOINTS

• CHEST INFECTIONS etc.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP MINIMISE YOUR

FUTURE RISK?

Non-modifiable

• Gender• Family history• Ethnicity

Modifiable

• Smoking• High Blood Pressure• High Cholesterol• Excess Weight• Excess Alcohol• Diabetes• Physical Inactivity• Stress• Diet

What is the target BP for the general population?

• a/ 140/90mm/HG

• b/ 130/90mm/HG

• c/ 130/80mm/HG

What is the target BP for someone with CHD?

• a/ 140/90mm/HG

• b/ 130/90mm/HG

• c/ 130/80mm/HG

REDUCING HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

• Medication• Exercise• Healthy diet• Weight reduction• Reduce alcohol intake• Reduce salt• Reduce stress

What is the target total cholesterol for someone with

CHD?

• a/ Below 4mmols/L

• b/ Below 4.5mmols/L

• c/ Below 5mmols/L

TYPES OF CHOLESTEROL

• High density lipoprotein – THE GOOD

• Low density lipoprotein – THE BAD

• Triglycerides – THE UGLY

What is the ideal BMI?• a/ <28

• b/ <25

• c/ <30

What is the ideal waist measurement for:

• a/ Men

• b/ Female

KEEP YOUR WEIGHT DOWN

AIM FOR A BMI OF

25 OR LESS

Men <37 ins Women <32 ins

South East Asians:

Men <35.5 ins Women <31.5 ins

What type of diet do you think a person with CHD should follow?

AIM FOR A BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVEL BETWEEN

4-7

What are the recommended alcohol units per week for:

• a/ Men

• b/ Female

• How many alcohol free days should you have per week?

• a/ None

• b/ 2

• c/ 3

MEN: 21 units per weekWomen 14 units per week

2 alcohol free days per week

KEEP YOUR LIFE IN BALANCE