Strategies for an aging heart

Heart attack (myocardial infarction) is the leading cause of death in the elderly population. It occurs when a blocked artery prevents oxygen-rich blood to a section of heart muscle. If blood flow is not restored quickly due to lack of oxygen, heart muscle begins to die. The longer a person goes without treatment, the greater the damage.

Not everyone with heart attack presents with classic symptoms — chest pain radiating to the arm, nausea, sweating and shortness of breath. In reality, many experience much less clear symptoms, which can be mistaken as bad indigestion, or some may not experience any recognisable symptoms (silent heart attack). These attacks are common in the elderly and patients with diabetes. Some heart attacks may start slowly with mild pain, which may last over days and precious time may be lost in seeking medical attention.

The speed with which a patient receives medical treatment often determines the survival and recovery. Time is life, as majority of deaths occur within an hour of the heart attack. Blood flow in the coronary arteries (blood vessels of heart) can be restored by dissolving the clots or by opening the clogged arteries by using a balloon (angioplasty)

Treating the heart poorly with bad diet (cholesterol-laden), sedentary lifestyle and smoking potentially increase the chances of heart attack while other predisposing risk factors are advanced age, personal and family history of heart attack.

The endeavour should be to treat the heart well. Simple healthy lifestyle changes may help protect the aging heart. Adopt a diet based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and olive oil, eat more fish, exercise almost every day and get enough sleep. If you smoke, stop, if you are overweight, shed some pounds, and most important of all reduce stress.

Along with this keep the associated medical conditions such as diabetes, high BP and high cholesterol under control. In the elderly, heart attack has inexorably grim prognosis, non-pharmacological strategies are the best defence against heart attack, it undoubtely keeps the heart healthy and beating at a younger pace with a chance to live a longer and healthier life.