Heart disease and related conditions affect the heart’s ability to work effectively. Many common cardiac problems collectively form heart disease.
It’s always best to discuss your heart condition with your heart specialist or your health professional who can advise you on the correct diagnosis and treatment plan.
Dr. Muhammad Suleman Khan is an interventional cardiologist in Lahore. In this interview with oladoc, he discusses the common heart problems prevailing in Pakistan. He also touches on the risk factors contributing to the heart-related medical issues and what possible treatments can be given for such problems.
Q.1. Tell us about the common cardiac problems these days.
Well, let’s start with children as we see congenital defects in children, such as a hole between the two chambers of the heart. In addition to this, in adults, we see coronary artery problems in which the arteries become blocked and damaged. This can cause heart pain or angina.
Apart from this, problems of the valve can also occur that put a strain on the heart. These are the most common cardiac concerns seen nowadays.
Q.2. What are the risk factors of cardiac disease?
Diabetes is the number one risk factor for heart-related diseases. Unfortunately, diabetes is steadily increasing. Other than that, high blood pressure, smoking, cholesterol in the diet and genetic factors are also responsible for heart issues. Obesity, stress, and depression can also bring about a host of cardiovascular concerns.
Q.3. What are the symptoms of major cardiac problems?
Well, the most obvious symptom would a feeling of pain or pressure that is felt in the heart and that spreads throughout the left arm. This kind of pain must definitely be investigated by a trained professional for heart concerns. Similarly, irregular heart pains, shortness of breath, burning in the chest or heart.
Q.4. What is the difference between angina and heart pain?
Angina is a pain or discomfort in your chest, arm, neck, stomach or jaw that happens when the blood supply to your heart becomes restricted because of your arteries becoming narrowed. Heart attack, on the other hand, is an interrupted blood flow that damages or destroys part of the heart muscle. Normally, the pain experienced during a heart attack is greater.
Q.5. How do you diagnose heart problems?
To diagnose heart problems, ECG is done. Some blood test and exercise tests can also be done. For any cardiac concerns, contact a heart specialist immediately.
Watch the full video if you want to learn more common cardiac problems and their treatments in Pakistan.
You can book an appointment with a top heart specialist through oladoc.com, or call our helpline at 042-3890-0939 for assistance to find the RIGHT professional for your concerns.
