The heart of the matter: how to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death in the UK — around 68,000 people a year die from it. It is usually caused by a build-up of fat inside the arteries, and here are many kinds of heart diseases, like cardiomyopathy, cerebrovascular disease, and coronary artery disease. So many, that there is a subspecialty of cardiology called preventative cardiology focused on lowering the risk of further damage of heart disease in patients via checks and screenings, medicinal management, and recommendations about lifestyle. Experienced cardiologist Dr Sothinathan Gurunathan shares tips that may not save you from heartbreak, but can certainly help you avoid cardiovascular diseases.

The heart is essential to keeping us alive, so its health is paramount to the health of the rest of the body. The heart acts like an engine, pumping blood around the body so that our other organs can receive oxygen (like fuel) and keep us functioning. If there’s something wrong with the heart, the rest of the body will soon follow, leading to the deterioration of the entire corporal total system.

What causes cardiovascular disease?

There are four main classes of cardiovascular disease:

1. Coronary heart disease, where blood flow to the heart is obstructed
2. Strokes, where blood flow to the brain is obstructed
3. Peripheral arterial disease, where blood flow to the limbs is obstructed
4. Aortic diseases, where the walls of the aorta become weak and burst (known as an aortic aneurysm)

Some risk factors cannot be altered despite best efforts. The heart and blood vessels naturally weaken as we inevitably age, with people over the age of 45 being most at risk. Those with a family history of cardiovascular diseases will be genetically dispositioned for CVD themselves. CVD also may come about as a result of previous or ongoing conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.

What increases the risk for cardiovascular disease?

One of the main things to be aware of is the diet. Since CVD is typically known to be caused by fat blocking the arteries, being considerate of diet is one of the best preventative methods. Foods that should be avoided or enjoyed in moderation are:

• food that is high in saturated, or animal fats. for example, crackling pork or sausage
• excessive salt or sugar
• lard or ghee or butter
• cream and hard cheese
• cakes, cookies, and biscuits
• food cooked with oils with omega-6 linoleic acids, such as seed oils like palm or coconut
• deep-fried food

Instead, try to indulge in safer food such as:

• nuts and seeds
• avocados
• food with sunflower, rapeseed, olive and vegetable oils
• sautéed or boiled food
• more fibre and wholegrain foods
• more fruit and vegetables (“an apple a day keeps the doctor away”, or even better, five!)

In regards to other aspects of lifestyle, it is greatly encouraged to stop smoking and reduce drinking alcohol, as frequently doing both raises blood pressure. It is recommended to keep physically active so the heart can stay strong and improve blood flow throughout the body. Running, swimming, dancing, and cycling are just some suggestions for exercise, but even as simple as going on a walk every day would be effective.

Risk reduction can also be achieved via medications. Medicines like aspirin or clopidogrel are used to thin the blood so it can flow through the blood vessels more easily and cause less strain to the heart. For those with high cholesterol, statins may help by cleaning the blood of cholesterol, such as simvastatin or rosuvastatin. Beta-blockers help by slowing down the heartbeat and regulating blood flow. Nitrates, which can come in the form of pills, sprays, or patches, are used to widen the arteries and veins.

All of these medications can have side effects that can cause further harm, so it is best to consult with your doctor about which option would be best for you.

If you have concerns regarding your heart health, Dr Sothinathan Gurunathan is a skilled cardiologist based in London and is available to book for appointments via his Top Doctors profile