Heart health
Heart Health Basics
6 min read · General education
Overview
Cardiovascular diseases affect the heart and blood vessels. Many risk factors — such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol — can be changed.
Common symptoms
- Often no symptoms until a serious event
- Chest discomfort or pain on exertion
- Breathlessness
- Unusual tiredness or swelling of the ankles
Possible causes and risk factors
- Tobacco use
- Unhealthy diet high in salt, sugar and saturated fat
- Physical inactivity
- High blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol
- Family history
Prevention and healthy lifestyle
- Do not smoke or chew tobacco
- Eat plenty of vegetables, fruit, pulses and wholegrains
- Limit ghee, vanaspati and fried foods
- Stay active and maintain a healthy weight
- Get regular health check-ups
Nutrition and exercise considerations
- Use small amounts of vegetable oil instead of vanaspati ghee
- Include daal, chana and beans several times a week
- Build up to regular moderate activity
When to consult a healthcare professional
- Chest discomfort during activity that settles with rest
- Family history of early heart disease
- You have diabetes or high blood pressure
Emergency warning signs
- • Chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to arm, jaw or back, sweating, breathlessness or feeling faint — call emergency services immediately
In Pakistan, call Rescue 1122 or 115 (Edhi) in an emergency.