Angina pectoris could be a sign of heart disease? 7 cardiovascular diseases you should know! Includes 6 heart-protecting tips.

Heart disease remains one of the most common fatal diseases in Hong Kong! In 2022, 6,561 people registered as dying from heart disease in Hong Kong, breaking the record of the past 10 years. Heart disease doesn't refer to just one disease, but rather to a wide range of heart-related conditions that can cause abnormalities in heart function or structure. What are the different types of heart disease? What are their causes and symptoms? How can we effectively protect our hearts? Let's learn more!

7 major cardiovascular diseases

1. Coronary artery disease (CAD) : also known as coronary heart disease, is the most common heart disease in Hong Kong. The coronary arteries are blood vessels responsible for transporting oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. When the coronary arteries become blocked, narrowed, or hardened due to fat buildup, it can lead to insufficient blood supply, causing angina, myocardial infarction, or stroke.
2. Heart rhythm disorders : abnormal heartbeats or rhythm problems such as too fast, too slow, irregular, palpitations, etc., including ventricular or atrial fibrillation, sinoatrial node dysfunction, etc.
3. Hypertensive heart disease : Long-term high blood pressure causes excessive pressure in the arteries, forcing the heart to contract harder to ensure smooth blood flow throughout the body. Over time, this leads to hyperplasia and thickening of the heart tissue. Simultaneously, high blood pressure can cause arteriosclerosis or narrowing of blood vessels, affecting blood supply.
4. Congenital heart disease : malformations, defects, or structural problems that occur in the fetus during gestation.
5. Valvular heart disease : The heart has four valves that control the direction of blood flow. When the valves become narrowed or incompletely closed due to infection or other factors, blood will flow backward. Gradually, the heart will develop problems such as ventricular enlargement and myocardial hypertrophy, which will affect the patient's breathing.
6. Rheumatic heart disease : an inflammatory disease caused by infection with group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. The proteins in these bacteria are very similar to some proteins in human tissues. The immune system cannot distinguish between bacteria and internal tissues, so it damages internal tissues while fighting bacteria.
7. Heart failure : The heart is unable to pump blood properly, blood cannot flow normally to all parts of the body, and organs cannot function. It is generally caused by coronary heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, or valvular heart disease.

Who is prone to heart disease? What are the symptoms of heart disease?

The vast majority of heart disease patients (excluding those with congenital heart disease) suffer from what is commonly known as the "three highs": high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar. Long-term high blood pressure increases the workload on the heart and can easily lead to cardiac hypertrophy; in people with high cholesterol, cholesterol tends to accumulate on the arterial walls, causing blood vessel blockage or myocardial ischemia; and in diabetic patients, high blood sugar can damage blood vessel walls and exacerbate atherosclerosis. In addition, the following factors can also trigger heart disease:

• As you get older
• Obesity, overweight
• Lack of exercise
• Unhealthy eating habits (high-calorie, high-fat, high-cholesterol, high-sugar diets)
• Long-term smoking
• Drinking a lot of alcohol
• Lack of sleep
• Easily stressed or under excessive pressure
• Hereditary or family history of disease

Common symptoms of heart disease

Common symptoms of heart disease include: chest pain, squeezing discomfort in the chest, angina pectoris, palpitations, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, bloating, indigestion, neck and back pain, or numbness in the hands and feet.

6 Heart-Healthy Tips

1. Limit smoking and alcohol consumption : Smoking and excessive drinking are among the main causes of heart disease. You should quit smoking as soon as possible and drink alcohol in moderation.
2. Control your diet : Avoid high-fat, high-salt, high-sugar, and high-calorie foods. Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, protein, and foods containing healthy fats.
3. Develop a regular exercise routine : moderate-intensity exercises such as swimming and running can help control weight, reduce the chance of being overweight, and lower the risk of heart disease.
4. Relieving stress : Stress is one of the causes of cardiovascular disease. Relaxing yourself in a timely manner, finding suitable stress-reduction methods, and trying to maintain a happy mood are all important.
5. Get enough sleep : Avoid staying up late. Adults should get 7 to 9 hours of sleep a day to recharge their energy and help relieve stress.
6. Heart check-up : Regular comprehensive heart check-ups help monitor heart health early, and once symptoms are detected, lifestyle habits can be improved or treatment can begin in time.