One of the primary reasons for sudden deaths among professional athletes and young people is an abnormality in the veins or arteries. Even though they receive cardiovascular check-ups on a regular basis, athletes” lifestyles can have a negative impact on the health of their hearts. Eating foods with high cholesterol content, excessive alcohol consumption and use of illicit drugs can harm the internal surfaces of the coronary veins. A build up of cholesterol within the veins can cause a partial or full blockage.
Cholesterol crystals cause serious problems when they arrive in the vein outlets. This condition in its early phases of vein hardening may be detected even in 6-month-old babies. This problem destroys the cell blocks in the veins. The cell block inside the vein produces hormones to ensure that the vein remains open and to prevent adhesion of coagulation agents on the vein”s surface. This hormone also controls vein functions. When production of this hormone is eliminated via emergence of vein problems, spasms are observed in the vein. This can lead to sudden death. Rhythm disorders in the heart are another cause of sudden deaths. Devices such as the T-wave alternans can detect persons who are at increased of sudden cardiac death. However, unfortunately it is impossible to detect certain rhythm disorders beforehand.
Meat not meant to be eaten with every meal
There is an unspoken rule in modern societies that meat should be eaten at every meal. This is simply wrong. Meat should only be consumed one to two times per week. In particular, cooking vegetables with meat is unhealthy. It is better to cook vegetables with olive oil and cook the meat separately without fat on a grill. Legumes should also be eaten in addition to meat because these products are the fundamentals for healthy nutrition. Abandoning the habit of having desert with every meal is one of the most crucial rules for a healthy diet.
If an individual has one parent that has undergone bypass surgery in their 40s, the individual should have his or her blood tested starting from their 20s on a regular basis because high cholesterol can become a problem at this age. Even if they feel perfectly healthy, those having parents with a cholesterol problem should have tests for cholesterol, blood fats, blood pressure and diabetes once a year.
Manage stress levels
Children experience stress as early as primary school and they continue living with it for the rest of their lives. Because of the sedentary lifestyles of our modern world, more and more children are overweight or even grossly obese. Overweight people are more likely to develop vein and heart diseases. For this reason, teaching stress management from childhood onward is very important. Stress perception and the reaction to stress are different for everyone. However, it is most important to manage and cope with stress in healthy ways. Individuals should find something to do outside of work, such as a hobby or exercise program, to shift one”s focus away from the stress of work. Exercise also helps to maintain weight and reduces cholesterol levels.
Cut back on TV time
The agenda in Turkey is packed with alarming news much of the time. The news can be another source of stress among sensitive people. Thus, people should avoid watching the news after work. Try reading a book or relaxing on the balcony instead.
A healthy diet for a healthy heart
Make sure your daily calorie intake is not excessive
Liquid oils (olive oil, hazelnut oil, soy oil or corn oil) should be chosen over solid oils
Eat more fish
Limit consumption of red meat to once a week, white meat (chicken and turkey) can be eaten more often
Avoid high calorie products (cake, chips) with high levels of fat
Grill or boil instead of frying
Reduce salt intake
Increase number of meals per day while decreasing portion size
Avoid smoking and being in smoky environments
Exercise at least three times a week
Choose vegetables and fruits over deserts and refined foods with simple sugar content
Dr. Servet Öztürk, cardiology department chair at Memorial Hospital.
