NAIROBI, Kenya- The world’s biggest killer is ischaemic heart disease, responsible for 16 percent of the world’s total deaths.
Since 2000, the largest increase in deaths has been for this disease, rising by more than 2 million to 8.9 million deaths in 2019.
Ischemic heart disease refers to heart weakening caused by reduced blood flow to your heart.
Typically, this reduced blood flow is the result of coronary artery disease, a condition that occurs when your coronary arteries narrow.
Ischemic heart disease may also be called cardiac ischemia or ischemic cardiomyopathy.
Like other types of coronary artery disease, you may not have any symptoms at first.
For some people, the first sign of ischemic heart disease is a heart attack.
As ischemic heart disease worsens, you may experience: Chest pain, especially after physical exertion, dizziness or fainting, heart palpitations, which may feel like your heart fluttering or skipping beats, shortness of breath and swelling in your feet or ankles.
-Recommended Lifestyle Changes-
Among the lifestyle changes recommended when treating the disease include eating a heart-healthy diet, getting better quality sleep and increasing activity levels.Further, one is likely to be asked to lose weight, lower stress, participate in a cardiac rehabilitation program, quit smoking and reduce alcohol intake.
