Weight and heart attack

What is the relation of weight and heart attack?

Overweight or obesity is considered one of the important risk factors for heart attack. Obese people generally follow sedentary lifestyle which is responsible for Insulin resistance, higher risk of Diabetes, Hypertension and high cholesterol. All these factors accelerates the process known as atherosclerosis – gradual deposition of lipids in Coronary arteries supplying blood to heart. Gradual narrowing of arteries causes chest heaviness on exertion (effort angina), shortness of breath and easy fatigue. There are higher chances of plaque rupture and clot formation in Coronary arteries in obese people with comorbid condition and this leads to heart attack. Obstructive sleep apnoea, a relatively common but under diagnosed condition in obese people, aggravates insulin resistance, blood pressure and thus overall risk of heart attack or brain stroke.

Importance of medications in people with heart problems.

Each medicine has purpose in heart disease. Treatment depends on patient’s clinical condition, ejection fraction (pumping of heart), presence of comorbid conditions like Diabetes, Hypertension, high cholesterol etc.

Type of medicines include blood thinners (Aspirin with or without Clopidogrel/ Prasugrel/ Ticagrelor), cholesterol lowering and plaque stabilising drugs (statins, Ezetimibe or Bampedoic acid), heart rate control drug (beta blockers), medicines to help in reduced pumping of heart (Ramipril/ Sacubitril Valsartan/ Spironolactone/ Eplerenone or Frusemide) etc. Higher the co morbid conditions more the number of medicines. There may be periodic modification of dosages or change in medicines depending on symptoms, heart rate, blood pressure, ECG, ECHO and certain blood reports. Generally tests are done every year and in between if any test is abnormal or patient has new onset of symptoms.

So, rather than looking at number of medicines, purpose of medicines should be understood and regular medicines to be taken to keep everything under control.

Treatment is lifelong. Purpose of treatment is to halt progress of disease and prevent recurrence. Even if there are no symptoms, treatment is continued lifelong. However, with time, number of medicines may reduce provided a person follows good diet control, exercise and reports are good. Stopping treatment without advice of doctor can cause recurrence of heart disease which may be life threatening.