Asthma Could Raise Your Risk for Heart Disease: Did you know over 25 million people in India suffer from asthma? But if recent studies are to be believed, could asthma increase susceptibility for another critical condition – heart disease? Research indicates that having asthma doubles the risk of developing heart ailments like heart attacks and strokes compared to others. But how can a respiratory condition like asthma affect the heart? Is it the inflammatory nature of asthma that damages blood vessels, too, causing blockages? Or are certain asthma medications cardiotoxic? What steps can you take to minimize these risks proactively if you have asthma?
This guide analyzes the newly discovered risks between asthma and heart disease along with risk elevators. So keep reading to understand this vital connection between asthma and your heart health along with pointers to stay risk-free lifelong!
How Asthma Increases Heart Disease Risks
Studies indicate people with asthma tend to have higher chances of developing various heart problems like stroke, heart attack, heart failure, etc, compared to the average population. Some ways this risk occurs include:
- Chronic inflammation associated with asthma causes damage to blood vessels over time, allowing cholesterol plaque formation – blocking arteries
- Certain asthma drugs like corticosteroids and theophylline may elevate blood pressure levels – further stressing vessels
- Severe asthma attacks strain heart function
- Shortness of breath symptoms limit physical activity – increasing weight/obesity
This demonstrates the need to monitor heart health proactively for asthma patients.
Key Risk Factors That Further Elevate Chances
While having asthma itself increases susceptibility to eventual cardiac troubles, certain secondary risk factors can exponentially raise the odds further. These include:
- Smoking tobacco – an extremely dangerous habit, triggers asthma too
- Lack of exercise and increased weight/obesity
- Unhealthy diet high in sugar, salt, fats – elevates cholesterol
- High stress – releases inflammatory hormones
- Diabetes mellitus – adds vessel strain
Checking for these factors and adopting preventive care is vital.
Steps To Reduce Future Heart Disease Risks
As an asthma patient, proactively minimizing heart disease risk involves making certain lifestyle changes. These steps can help reduce your chances of developing heart conditions like heart attacks, stroke, heart failure, etc.
Quit Smoking and Avoid Triggers
- Quit smoking tobacco products completely, as smoking is extremely dangerous and triggers asthma too
- Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke
- Follow the doctor’s prescribed asthma treatment plans to keep symptoms under control
- Identify and reduce contact with environmental asthma triggers that could induce flare-ups
Follow an Active Lifestyle
- Exercise moderately for 30 mins daily as per fitness levels to strengthen heart health
- Activities like brisk walking, swimming, cycling are recommended
- Use an inhaler before exercise if asthma-prone
- Stay hydrated and warm during winter exercises
- Reduce weight if overweight through calorie-controlled, nutritious diet and exercise
Adopt Stress Management Techniques
- High stress releases inflammatory hormones that strain vessels
- Practice meditation, and yoga, and listen to music to induce calm
- Get adequate sleep daily
- Maintain work-life balance through breaks
Get Regular Checkups
Getting diagnostic checkups is vital even if asymptomatic:
- Check blood pressure every 6 months
- Maintain a diary to track home readings
- Check cholesterol levels every 6 months
- LDL should be under 100 mg/dL
- HDL should be over 60 mg/dL
- Get yearly cardiac tests like ECG, stress tests after age 40
- Earlier if diabetic or had a family history
How To Prevent Further Damage
If you already have a heart condition along with asthma, extra care is essential to prevent exacerbation. Key aspects include:
- Strictly avoiding smoking and second-hand smoke exposure
- Using asthma controller medications correctly to keep attacks away
- Modifying exercise by staying warm, using an inhaler before activity
- Getting flu and pneumonia vaccines to prevent infection strain
- Taking heart medications correctly – never missing doses
- Consulting doctor about managing side effects of drugs
Follow-ups to monitor vascular health are also equally important.
When to See a Doctor
If you have asthma and you run out of breath in unusual settings or feel palpitations, pain in your chest, or breathlessness, it is critically important to get urgent medical help immediately. Detecting the disease early and starting the therapy may halt the progression of complications that maybe fatal, of which this may bring a good prognosis.
Besides, when you feel like you can’t control your asthma or have worries about your heart health, you have no right to keep them inside. Don’t hesitate to ask for a physician’s opinion. They can help you plan your day, set individual targets and also support you in achieving the best possible health and well-being.
Wrapping Up
The strong association between asthma and eventual heart disease risks calls for conscious preventive steps by patients. Quit smoking, stay active, control asthma symptoms and adopt a healthy lifestyle. Getting regular cardio check-ups is vital for timely intervention too. For expert guidance on reducing asthma-related cardiovascular risks, consult physicians like Dr. Ravinder Singh Rao, who can create customized treatment plans based on your medical history and risk profile. Be heart-healthy while tackling asthma!