Changes in lifestyle in the form of dietary modifications and exercise help in reducing the risk of heart attack in the future.

Those with previous history of heart attack

Family history of heart attack

High blood pressure (BP)

Diabetes mellitus

Hypercholestrolemia

Smokers

To eat

Fruits

Salad

Vegetables

Whole grains

Fish

Low dairy fat

Nuts

Legumes such as Dal

Not to eat

Salt

Saturated fatty acids

Trans fat

Red meat

Smoking in all forms increases the risk of heart attack and should be stopped immediately. Non smokers exposed to tobacco smoke from near by person called as second hand tobacco smoke also increase the risk of heart attack by 30%.

Yes stress increases the risk of heart attack and should be brought down by lifestyle modification, yoga and meditation.

Moderate intensity exercise (brisk walking) for 2 and a half hour every week

Or

High intensity exercise for 1 hour 15 minutes every week

Along with that muscle strengthening should be done on 2 days of the week

Children should get 60 minutes of physical activity every day

TAVI or TAVR refers to the technique of replacing aortic heart valve without open – heart surgery , using a catheter. This is mostly done from the leg artery and valve is delivered at its location. This treatment is currently for patients who are suffering from aortic stenosis.

Aortic stenosis refers to narrowing of aortic valve. Aortic valve is the gatekeeper or the ‘outflow’ valve of the heart, which opens and closes with each heartbeat. In aortic stenosis, the blood flow coming out of the heart is decreased and the heart has to pump with greater force.

At present TAVI is approved for the patient who is high risk to undergo open-heart surgery, like age more than 70 , severe lung disease, prior open-heart surgery and multiple disorders. TAVI valve is a biological valve which is either mounted on a balloon or encased in a catcheter and is implanted during the procedure. Patient has to undergo a battery of test before this procedure and one, which is very vital, is CT scan. CT scan helps in sizing the valve and also assesses the blood vessel size of the legs.

Its safety and efficacy have been established in multiple international trials. In Germany more than 60% of aortic valve replacements are done via TAVI technique. However this is not for young patients who are suitable for open – heart surgery. This technique has been there in India for the past couple of years. However, not all hospitals are approved to do this. TAVI is a big revolution in field of medicine. It is a reality, which was only in dreams few decades ago. It seems a miracle of the valve is delivered in the heart, without opening the chest. This technology is life for 40-60% of patients with severe aortic stenosis, who do not receive open-heart aortic valve replacement because of multiple co-morbidities.