In BD, it’s pretty common to face heart-related illnesses like heart attacks, blockages, and more. Due to this, people often wonder if it is heart disease more common in males or females in Bangladesh.
Most studies show that heart disease is more common in males than females in Bangladesh. However, over time, the number of female patients has been increasing.
In this guide, we’ll get into detail on the heart disease ratio of males and females to know who has it more commonly. Plus, you’ll learn its presentation and cure here. Let’s dive in!
Heart Disease Is More Common in Males Than Females in Bangladesh!
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide for both men and women even in BD. However, statistics and studies show that men generally face a higher risk of heart disease than women in BD.
For instance, PLOS shows statistics in which up to 31% of men are at moderate risk for heart illnesses, while only 20% of women fall into this category.
Not to mention that men have a higher chance of developing severe heart diseases. In fact, one study shows that 33.7% of men have a high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to women with 20.4%.
When looking at men and women combined, it shows around 27.5% of people in BD face this higher risk.
Plus, another study shows men or women with other illnesses like stroke are more likely to face heart diseases. In which, 3.1% of men have faced heart disease against 3.2% of women. This also shows that women with other diseases are more likely to face heart illnesses than men.
Besides, in the last 10 years, the death rate from heart attacks has shot up in BD for both men and women. In that, it shows increases 35 times for men and 48 times for women. This also shows that women have a higher risk of heart disease.
To sum up, men in BD tend to have a higher risk of heart disease than women. But, it seems women have a higher risk as well and it is increasing rapidly. This also means it’s vital for everybody to stop and treat heart health with proper care.
How to Prevent Heart Disease?
Taking care of your heart involves a few important steps that can greatly lower your risk of heart disease. Here are some ways to avoid heart disease:
1. Choose Healthy Foods and Drinks
- Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. They also give your body essential nutrients and fiber while keeping unhealthy fats low.
- Avoid foods high in saturated fats and trans fats, as these can raise your risk of heart disease.
- Choose foods high in fiber and low in cholesterol to help keep your cholesterol levels in check.
- Reduce salt (sodium) in your diet to help control your blood pressure.
- Limit sugary foods and drinks to help manage blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes.
- Drink alcohol in moderation, as too much can increase your blood pressure.
2. Keep a Healthy Weight
Being overweight or obese can put extra strain on your heart. And, keeping a healthy weight lowers your risk of heart problems. You can also check if your weight is healthy by calculating your Body Mass Index (BMI).
3. Stay Active
Regular physical activity helps you maintain a healthy weight to lessen blood pressure and controls cholesterol. Plus, it reduces blood sugar levels.
- Adults should aim for at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate exercise per week (like brisk walking or cycling).
- Kids and teens should aim for 1 hour of physical activity each day.
4. Don’t Smoke
Smoking greatly increases the risk of heart disease. If you smoke or use vape, it’s better to quit that habit to prevent great harm to your heart. In that case, you can search for alternatives like gum.
5. Manage Medical Conditions
- Cholesterol: Get your cholesterol levels checked every 4-6 years, or more often if you have high cholesterol or a family history of it.
- Blood Pressure: High blood pressure usually doesn’t show symptoms, so check it regularly. Besides, lowering salt intake and taking medications if needed can help control it.
- Diabetes: If you have diabetes, managing your blood sugar is key.
6. Follow Your Doctor’s Advice on Medications
If you’re prescribed medicine for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, take it as directed. You can also ask questions if anything is unclear.
Plus, don’t stop your medication without speaking with your doctor. Just be sure to go to a reliable heart center to find an expert who can help you with that.
What Is the Treatment for Heart Disease?
Depending on the severity of the heart disease and overall health, treatment plans vary from person to person. Here’s the detail on its treatment:
Medicines
- Blood Thinners: Blood-thinning medicines like aspirin or clopidogrel make the blood less likely to clot. It also lessens the risk of a heart attack. And, it only takes these if advised by a doctor.
- Statins: Statins such as atorvastatin and simvastatin help lower bad LDL cholesterol in the blood. It also makes a heart attack less likely.
- Beta Blockers: Medications like atenolol and metoprolol help manage angina and high blood pressure by slowing the heart rate. It also improves blood flow.
- Nitrates: Nitrates such as glyceryl trinitrate widen blood vessels to allow easier blood flow and lower blood pressure. They are also available in forms like tablets, sprays, and skin patches. They also have mild side effects like headaches.
- ACE Inhibitors and ARBs: ACE inhibitors like ramipril and ARBs like losartan can lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels. They also work by blocking certain hormones. And, this makes it easier for the heart to pump blood.
- Calcium Channel Blockers: These medicines such as amlodipine help widen arteries and lower blood pressure.
- Diuretics: They are often called water pills. Diuretics help the body get rid of extra water and salt through urine.
Procedures and Surgery
- Coronary Angioplasty: In this procedure, a small balloon is used to widen a narrowed artery. It also allows better blood flow. And, it’s a tiny metal tube called a stent that is often placed in the artery. That way it also keeps the area open to stop future blockages.
- Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG): In bypass surgery, a surgeon uses a healthy blood vessel to create a new path for blood around a blocked artery.
- Heart Transplant: In rare cases, when the heart is very damaged and treatments are not working, a heart transplant may be needed.
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Get Rid of Heart Disease and Treat It ASAP!
Based on the stats, it’s clear that heart disease is more common in males than females in Bangladesh! After learning that, you should take action to avoid and cure this illness. That way it’ll help your heart to stay healthy. Hope this guide helps you!