Tabba Heart Institute has launched their initiative 'ProjectDKL (Dil Kay Liye)' to create awareness on how to follow a balanced lifestyle for a healthy heart.

Cardiovascular disease is responsible for 17.5 million premature deaths every year, and by 2030 this is predicted to rise to nearly 23 million.

Tabba has also shared tips and habits to improve heart health, risk factors and symptoms of heart attack and stroke, and measures and policies that should be implemented to reduce heart disease in the community.

What are the risk factors for cardiovascular disease?

The most common behavioral risk factors of heart disease and stroke are an unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol.

The effects of behavioral risk factors may show up in individuals as raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose, raised blood lipids, and obesity.

These 'intermediate risks factors' can be measured in primary care facilities, and indicate an increased risk of developing a heart attack, stroke, heart failure and other complications.

According to the doctors at Tabba, ending tobacco use, reduction of salt in the diet, consuming fruits and vegetables, regular physical activity and avoiding harmful use of alcohol have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

In addition, drug treatment of diabetes, hypertension, and high blood lipids may be necessary to reduce these risks and prevent heart attacks and strokes.

Health policies that create conducive environments for making healthy choices affordable and available are essential for motivating people to adopt and sustain healthy behavior.

What are the silent symptoms of heart attacks and strokes?

Often, there are no symptoms of the underlying disease of the blood vessels. A heart attack or stroke may be the first warning of underlying disease.

Symptoms of a heart attack include:

• Pain or discomfort in the center of the chest,

• Pain or discomfort in the arms, the left shoulder, elbows, jaw, or back.

In addition, the person may experience:

• Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath,

• Feeling sick or vomiting,

• Feeling light-headed,

• Breaking into a cold sweat, and

• Getting pale.

Women are more likely to have shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

The first symptom of stroke is a sudden weakness of the face, arm, or leg, most often on one side of the body.

Other symptoms include sudden onset of:

• Numbness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body;

• Confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding speech;

• Difficulty seeing with one or both eyes;

• Difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination;

• A severe headache with no known cause; and

• Fainting or unconsciousness.

People experiencing these symptoms should seek medical care immediately.

How can the burden of cardiovascular diseases be reduced?

Some measures that can be taken to reduce the risks of heart attack and stroke include:

• Comprehensive tobacco control policies

• Taxation to reduce the intake of foods that are high in fat, sugar, and salt

• Building walking and cycle paths to increase physical activity

• Strategies to reduce harmful use of alcohol

• Providing healthy school meals to children

Impact of increasing cardiovascular diseases on the society

Good heart health is good for our families, communities, and economies.

Along with other non-communicable diseases, it contributes to poverty, particularly in low and middle income countries, due to massive health spending and high out-of-pocket expenditure.

Small lifestyle changes can make a powerful difference to our heart health. 30 minutes of activity a day , giving up smoking and eating a healthy diet can help prevent heart disease and stroke.

This content is a paid advertisement by Tabba Heart Institute and is not associated with or reflective of the views of Dawn.com and its editorial staff.