Good lifestyle Habits can prevent Heart disease – Dr. Sameer Ambar

World Heart Day on 29 September

Heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading causes of death, claiming 17.3 million lives each year.

Each year’s celebrations have a different theme, reflecting key issues and topics relating to heart health. This year our theme is creating heart-healthy environments.

At least 80% of premature deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD) could be avoided if four main risk factors – tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol – are controlled.

Dr. Sameer Suresh Ambar MD,DM,FACC is a Belagavi based Interventional Cardiologist practicing since 2007 and attached to JNMC as an Associate Professor of Cardiology & Interventional Cardiologist at KLE’s Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre. He also consults at Sparsh Superspeciality Clinic.

He completed his MD (Medicine) in 2004 & obtained a DM (Cardiology) superficiality degree in 2009. Dr. Ambar gained experience at several hospitals around the country, including Wanless Hospital (Miraj), Nanavati Hospital (Mumbai). Dr. Ambar has performed numerous procedures in Coronary Angiography, PTCA with Stenting, Balloon Mitral valvotomy, Pacemakers, Cardiac Catheterisation and Paediatric ASD/PDA device closures.

AAB caught up with Dr. Sameer and asked a few questions – 

What has been the major cause of increase in the number of heart patients? .

Changing life style and food habits, physical inactivity, high stress levels is a major cause of increase in Heart disease in addition to traditional risk factors like obesity, diabetes, blood pressure, obesity, hereditary and high cholestrol levels. Indian race is very prone for coronary artery disease and heart attacks by Nature and Nuture. In India, heart disease is the single largest cause of death in the country . In urban areas, 32.8 per cent deaths occur because of heart ailments, while this percentage in rural areas is 22.9%.

If I have a family history of cardiac problems, am I more likely to suffer a heart attack?

Yes. – The incidence of heart disease is more in persons who have family history of heart diseases due to genetic predisposition

Are there precautions I should take after 40 to reduce chances of getting cardiac problems?

1) Regular exercise
2) Balanced Healthy diet
3) Reduce stress levels
4) Good control of blood pressure and Diabetes
5) Avoid Tobacco

What are the early signs of a heart attack?

There are some early symptoms of heart attack, which are important to watch for and need early medical attention. The heart attack symptoms are:
Chest pain or tightness behind the chest bone with radiation to the left arm or
a sense of numbness
Profuse Sweating
Palpitations
Breathlessness after slight exertion.
Throat pain or constriction
Giddness, excessive fatigue
These all symptoms increase on exertion

What is the difference between HDL and LDL Cholesterol and how do they affect me?

HDL is a good cholesterol ,should be at higher level, its transports cholesterol out of stores to degradation areas

LDL is a bad cholesterol mainly responsible for blocking the arteries

What are the technological advances that have taken place more recently ?

There are lots of technological advances in the field of Cardiology like Bioabsorbable stents, rotablators, IVUS, Optical Coherance Tomography, retrograde angiopasty etc, most of these are available in Belgaum

Can a person help himself during a heart attack (Because we see a lot of forwarded emails on this)?

If you have above mentioned symptoms call your nearest person for help. Try to reach your Cardiologist as early as possible. Loading doses of Aspirin, clopidogrel and statins can be given by any medical person. Dont try any maneuvers as they can harmful in unnecessary situation. A person near you can help more if he is trained with basic life support course.

The heart ailments are on rise today, because of the stressful lifestyle. So, what will be your advice to the people?

DONT WORRY BE HAPPY
DONT EXPECT MUCH, LIVE A SIMPLE LIFE
BE MENTALLY TOUGH AND AVOID STRESS
OUR HEART POWERS YOUR WHOLE BODY.
LETS YOU LOVE, LAUGH AND LIVE YOUR LIFE TO THE FULL.

What would be your message to the young students who want to become cardiologist in the young future?

Its not a easy field, it needs lot of hardwork, dedication, sleepless nights and courage to handle critical conditions

What are the challenges in overcoming heart disease?

Ignorance about risk factors and heart disease
Delay in getting Medical treatment during emergencies.
Partial or improper treatment