These 4 health conditions can make you more likely to have a heart attack

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have become a major source of global concern. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), heart-related diseases are the leading cause of death today. The global health body says an estimated 17.9 million people died from CVDs in 2019, of which 85% were due to heart attack and stroke.

Heart attacks and cardiac arrest are some of the most common types of cardiovascular disease, which can be life-threatening. This disease causes blockage of the arteries that stop the flow of blood to the heart. That prevents the heart from getting enough oxygen and causes damage to the heart muscle.

The following are health conditions that easily lead to heart attacks, you need to watch out for.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a condition that occurs when the force of the blood against the walls of arteries and other blood vessels is too high, causing reduced blood and oxygen flow to the organs. This forces the heart to work harder to pump blood to the rest of the body, resulting in a thickened left ventricle. This increases the risk of heart diseases such as heart attack, heart failure, and cardiac arrest.

Typically, high blood pressure is defined as blood pressure above 140/90 and is considered serious if it exceeds 180/120. High blood pressure is often known as a “silent killer” because it has no symptoms.

Unhealthy “bad” LDL cholesterol levels

There are two types of cholesterol in the blood: LDL cholesterol (low molecular weight lipoprotein) and HDL cholesterol (high molecular weight lipoprotein). LDL cholesterol, also known as “bad” cholesterol, causes plaque buildup in the arteries, putting the heart at risk. An increase in bad cholesterol in the arteries can narrow blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the heart, brain, kidneys, and other parts of the body. As for, HDL or so-called “good” cholesterol helps prevent various cardiovascular diseases.

Fat

Being overweight is also a risk factor for heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity is associated with higher levels of “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides and lower levels of “good” cholesterol.

Obesity can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes as well as heart disease. This proves that obesity can be the cause of many chronic health diseases. That is why we must maintain a healthy weight.

High blood sugar or diabetes

Long-term high blood sugar can damage, constrict, and narrow the arteries. Because with diabetes, there is a build-up of sugar in the blood, because your body cannot use all the available sugar. This clogs and damages the blood vessels that carry blood to and from the heart.

Signs of a heart attack to watch out for

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), warning signs and symptoms of a heart attack include:

– Pain and discomfort in the chest

– Shortness of breath

Pain and discomfort in the upper body including one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach.

– Cold sweats or dizziness

When such symptoms appear, contact the nearest hospital immediately.

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