What are the preventive measures for heart disease?

The core of heart disease prevention revolves around reducing triggers, early control of risks, and timely intervention. There are not too many fancy operations, and most of them are details that can be implemented in daily life. If you stick to it, the benefits will be higher than taking any health products.

I have been in the clinic for almost ten years and have seen too many patients who could have avoided myocardial infarction. The one who impressed me the most was the 42-year-old Internet practitioner who I treated last year. He did not take it seriously when he was diagnosed with high blood pressure during physical examinations for three consecutive years. He stayed up late and ate high-fat takeaways all the time, until one time when he had chest tightness and chest pain after climbing three floors. A coronary CT scan revealed that there was 30% stenosis. After a year of adjustment, the plaques were completely stable after a review last week. The measures he implemented are the most down-to-earth prevention plan.

It doesn’t mean that we should completely give up the joy of heavy oil and salt, but just change every meal to eat once or twice a week to satisfy the craving. In the past, every meal he took out was heavy dishes such as soy sauce and braised sauce, and his sodium intake exceeded the standard by two or three times. Now he brings home-cooked meals at noon, occasionally eats hot pot in the evening, and never drinks salty hot pot soup. His blood pressure has dropped by 10mmHg in half a year. There is no need to force yourself to run to the gym to exercise. He rarely walked before. Now he gets off the subway two stops before get off work and walks briskly for 20 minutes. He climbs a hill with his children on weekends. He can move a total of 6,000 steps a day. His blood vessel elasticity is much better than before. Oh, by the way, don’t forget to quit smoking, including second-hand smoke. He used to have colleagues in the office who smoked a lot. Later, he specifically discussed with his colleagues to smoke in the smoking area. People who smoke second-hand smoke all year round have a 30% higher risk of coronary heart disease than ordinary people. Avoid this pitfall if you can.

Of course, lifestyle adjustments alone are not enough. People with underlying diseases must firmly grasp the risk factors. I once had a 50-year-old aunt who refused to take hypoglycemic drugs even though she had no symptoms for five years. Last year, she had a sudden myocardial infarction and was sent to the emergency department. Two stents were put in to save her. Basic diseases such as high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes are like small bugs that quietly gnaw at blood vessels. They usually don’t feel it. Once the blood vessel walls are thinned and plaque falls off and blocks the blood vessels, it’s too late. These indicators do not need to be completely aligned with the reference values ​​on the test sheet. It is best to ask a doctor to do a cardiovascular risk stratification. For ordinary people, it is enough to control low-density lipoprotein below 3.4mmol/L. For those with high blood pressure, it is best to lower it to 2.6. For those who have coronary artery stenosis, it should be lowered to 1.8 or even lower. Don’t stop taking medication privately if you feel you have no symptoms.

In addition, regular screening can help you uncover problems hidden under the water, so don’t think that young people don’t need to worry. The youngest patient with myocardial infarction who has been treated in the past two years is 22 years old. He stays up late and plays games all the time. I thought he had chest tightness occasionally because he was tired. He endured it for a week before coming to the hospital. The blood vessels were 90% blocked. For ordinary people, annual physical examinations such as electrocardiogram, blood lipids, blood pressure, and blood sugar are enough. If you often experience chest tightness, chest pain, or throat tightness after physical activity, don't just go to the hospital and do a coronary CT or exercise treadmill test. Early detection and early intervention will save you much less trouble than dealing with it at the emergency stage.

As for several hotly debated opinions on the Internet, there is actually no conclusion yet. For example, whether drinking coffee can harm the heart. There are currently studies saying that 1-2 cups of black coffee a day can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. There are also studies saying that drinking more than 4 cups a day can induce premature beats. This all depends on the individual's physical constitution. If you feel flustered or unable to sleep after drinking, drink less. If you don't feel uncomfortable after drinking, there is no need to deliberately stop it. There is also a lot of questions about whether Coenzyme Q10 can prevent heart disease. Current research only proves that supplementation is useful for people who already have cardiomyopathy or who have muscle soreness after taking statins. Ordinary people can consume enough through normal meals. There is no need to spend a lot of money on imported health products and pay IQ tax.

In the final analysis, the battle for heart disease prevention is not about who spends more money, but who can persevere in small things. Don’t leave things to chance. It’s better than anything else.