By Aisha Naava
A heart is a vital organ that pumps blood throughout the body, ensuring other organs and tissues receive enough oxygen and nutrients to remain healthy and function properly. However, unhealthy habits like increased stress, poor diet, reduced physical activity, increased alcohol consumption among other reasons have negatively impacted heart health. Therefore, understanding the health of our hearts will help us to know the risks, make healthy choices and take preventive measures to reduce the chances of getting heart disease.
As a selfless healthcare personnel, we frequently extend our services to the community through outreaches, and health camps among others in the context of bringing services closer to people as we promote accessibility and affordability of healthcare services. This supports and promotes the third sustainable development goal which ensures healthy lives and promotion of well-being for all at all ages.
One day, as we were conducting an outreach, a middle-aged male approached to see what was happening. On reaching the site, he was directed to the triage area for a check-up but declined and said he was well with just a headache and needed not to see a doctor and had just passed by after hearing the announcement about health workers coming to his village. While observing, his colleagues moved out with medicine and asked them how he could also get some for his headache and they directed him to the triage area where they had started and then went to the consultation room and then the pharmacy last.
From that, he accepted to go to the triage area where his vital observations were taken and to our disbelief his blood pressure was 218/168mmHg, a hypertensive crisis that could lead to a heart attack (time bomb) and therefore required emergency care. He was immediately referred to the health facility where he was managed promptly.
NOTE; High blood pressure forces the heart to work harder to pump blood to the rest of the body, this causes the lower left heart chamber called left ventricle to thicken and enlarge hence raising the risk of heart attack and heart failure.
A heart attack also known as a myocardial infarction is a medical emergency that usually occurs when a blood clot blocks blood flow to the heart causing damage or death to the heart tissue. Causes of heart attack
- Coronary artery disease; involves the buildup of fatty deposits (plaques) in the coronary arteries, which can lead to a blockage.
- Atherosclerosis; refers to hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to the buildup of plaque.
- Blood clots; can form on a plaque in the coronary artery and obstruct blood flow.
- Spasm of the coronary artery; this involves temporary narrowing or blockage of the artery, often triggered by drug use or stress.
- Embolism; is a blockage caused by a travelling clot or other debris.
- Inflammation of the arteries; vasculitis can cause inflammation and narrowing of the coronary arteries.
- Risk factors like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, diabetes and sedentary lifestyle.
Note: Addressing these risk factors and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help prevent heart attacks.
Signs and symptoms of a heart attack
- Pain; usually described when squeezing, pressure, and fullness in the center or left side of the chest, which may last for more than a few minutes or go away and come back.
- Referred pain which radiates to the shoulders, neck, arms, back, or jaw.
- Shortness of breath which may occur with or without chest discomfort.
- Some people may experience gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and vomiting during a heart attack.
- Signs of shock like profuse sweating or cold, clammy skin.
- Lightheadedness or dizziness; feeling faint or unsteady may occur.
- Fatigue; unusual or extreme tiredness, especially in women, can be a symptom.
- Anxiety; a feeling of impending doom or intense anxiety is sometimes reported.
Note: Symptoms can vary between individuals and between men and women. For example, women are more likely to experience symptoms like shortness of breath and nausea without the typical chest pain.
Investigations like; electrocardiogram (ECG), cardiac markers, chest x-ray, echocardiogram, coronary catheterization, cardiac computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging are done to diagnose a heart attack.
Management; Treatment ranges from lifestyle changes and cardiac rehabilitation to medication, stents and bypass surgery.
- Medications to treat a heart attack might include: Aspirin which reduces and prevents blood clotting.
- Surgical and other procedures may be done to open a blocked artery.
- Cardiac rehabilitation is a personalized exercise and education program that teaches ways to improve heart health after heart surgery.
Preventing heart attacks within health facilities involves a combination of proactive measures aimed at patient care, staff training, and organizational practices as follows;
- Ensuring appropriate prescribing of medications for high blood pressure, cholesterol, and other risk factors.
- Conducting regular medication reviews to ensure adherence and effectiveness.
- Training staff on recognizing heart attack symptoms and implementing rapid response protocols.
- Ensuring availability of defibrillators and emergency care equipment.
- Fostering collaboration between primary care, cardiology, and other specialties for comprehensive patient management.
- Utilizing care coordinators to follow up with high-risk patients.
In Uganda, there are few health facilities with specialized heart centres, these include; Mulago Heart Institute, Kisubi Hospital, Nakasero Hospital, additionally these specialised services are really expensive in that some people might not be in position to afford them, therefore our main focus should be on primary prevention at community level.
How can we prevent heart attacks?
- Public education; raise awareness about heart health, risk factors, and symptoms of heart attacks through workshops, seminars, and media campaigns.
Healthy lifestyle promotion:
- Nutrition; encourage diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Reduce consumption of processed foods, sugar, and salt.
- Physical activity; promote regular exercise through community programs, walking groups, and accessible recreational facilities.
- Smoking cessation; implement smoking cessation programs and policies that limit tobacco use in public spaces.
- Screening and early detection; facilitate regular health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes. Community health favors can help identify at-risk individuals.
- Access to healthcare; improve access to preventive care and cardiology services, especially in underserved areas. Support insurance coverage for preventive measures.
- Stress management; provide resources and programs for stress management, including mindfulness, counseling, and support groups.
- Community engagement; involve local organizations, schools, businesses in health initiatives to create a supportive environment for health choices.
- Policy advocacy; advocate for policies that promote health, such as restrictions on junk food advertising, improved urban planning for walkability and better health care access.
By implementing these strategies, communities can significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks and promote overall cardiovascular health.
The author is a nursing officer working with Kawolo General Hospital.
Do you have a story or an opinion to share? Email us on: [email protected] Or join the Daily Express WhatsApp channel for all the latest news and trends or join the Telegram Channel for the latest updates.
