Groote Schuur Hospital commemorated World Heart Day last, Thursday September 29.
Cardiologist, Professor Ashley Chin says some individuals can be born with a heart condition, but sometimes it could be because of one’s lifestyle. “Mostly, heart diseases get triggered by hypertension, diabetes, mellitus or smoking. It is important to take care of your body. This will prevent you from forming diseases such as diabetes.”
Groote Schuur patient Valerie Devy, 55, from Fish Hoek, suffered from an arrhythmia, which is an irregular heartbeat called paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).
Ms Devy says when you have AF, you are at a high risk of suffering a stroke because of blood clots forming.
“My heart started beating very fast, and at one point I even got blue lips and started to faint, which felt like I was having a heart attack,” she recalled.
Professor Chin treated Ms Levy by performing a cardiac procedure where they isolated her pulmonary veins which usually triggered the episodes of AF. “Because of the hard work the hospital staff deliver each day, patients like Ms Devy can live a longer life,” he says.
Ms Levy says she is grateful for Groote Schuur and Professor Chin. “I used to get episodes between two to three times a week. Now after the procedure I live a more content life, all because of the hospital.”
She also made lifestyle changes after her procedure by including regular exercise.
Professor Chin says the earlier you treat heart disease the better. “The danger signs of heart disease are chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations and blackouts.”
Groote Schuur Hospital says you should seek health advice:
- If your pulse seems to be racing some or most of the time and you are feeling unwell.
- If your pulse seems to be slow some or most of the time and you are feeling unwell.
- If your pulse feels irregular (“jumping around”), even if you do not feel unwell.
Professor Chin says that everyone is different and many people may have pulse rates over 100 beats/min (bpm) and less than 60 bpm. “If you have a persistent heart rate above 120 bpm or below 40 bpm, visit your local clinic,” he says.
