A Cardiologist Says Sleep Issues & Heart Failure Are Related

Introduction

According to Medithics Clinic's cardiologist in Kolkata, sleep issues and heart failure are related. 

For instance, heart failure can significantly disturb a person's sleep pattern. Similarly, sleep problems like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and insomnia can make a person's symptoms of heart failure worse.

 

 

Heart Failure Causes Sleep Problems

Here are the following ways in which heart failure can affect your sleep – 

• Chest pain can cause discomfort and make it hard to relax and fall or stay asleep.

• Lying in bed can cause shortness of breath.

• A person may have to get up several times during the night to urinate.

During the day, when a person with a heart condition spends most of their time standing or sitting, the extra fluid usually settles in their legs and feet. However, when they lie down, the fluid moves up into their chest, closing the lungs and airways making it harder to breathe.

Cardiologists in Kolkata prescribe diuretics to get rid of that extra fluid. Diuretics or "water pills" help the kidneys get rid of excess water and salt. The downside to the medication is that it disrupts sleep. Diuretics do not stop working when a person sleeps, therefore interrupting their slumber for a trip or two to the bathroom.

Sleep Problems Lead to Heart Failure

OSA is a condition in which the tissue in the back of a person's throat relaxes and blocks the airway while they sleep. This causes them to stop breathing and the brain signals the throat muscles to contract and open up the airway again. The process occurs dozens or even hundreds of times in the night, causing severe sleep disruption.

During OSA episodes, the brain releases stress hormones that can raise the heart rate and blood pressure. Over time, increased blood pressure can heighten the chance of heart failure.

OSA is a common sleep problem among people who are obese. However, anyone can develop the condition. 

Researchers suggest that trouble falling or staying asleep can cause heart failure. According to a heart specialist in Kolkata, one of the reasons may be that insomnia triggers the body's stress response, weakening the heart over time.

What You Can Do

The best way to prevent heart failure due to sleep problems is to get restful sleep every day, says the cardiologist in Kolkata. A good night's sleep helps increase energy levels, thinking skills, and overall heart health. 

Here are some steps to prevent sleep problems – 

• Create a regular sleep/wake schedule and stick to it.

• Turn off the screens before bedtime.

• Keep the bedroom dark and cool.

• Avoid caffeine in the evening and alcohol before bedtime. 

• Workout every morning.

If you have any sleep issues and experience any symptoms of heart conditions like shortness of breath or chest pain, consult Medithics Clinic's best heart doctor in Kolkata.

Is Depression & Heart Disease Linked? A Cardiologist Explains

Introduction

Depression is a common mental health phenomenon that needs the attention of 

psychologists. But, does the condition also require the attention of heart 

specialists? A cardiologist in Kolkata explains the connection between 

depression and heart disease. 

 

 

Depression and Heart Disease 

Researchers suggest that people who suffer from depression are at higher risk 

of developing heart disease. This is because depression is an all-encompassing 

illness that impacts a person’s lifestyle in ways that can negatively impact 

their heart health. For instance, a healthy heart demands regular exercising, 

following a balanced diet, quitting cigarettes and many more and it is 

challenging for people suffering from depression to follow a healthy lifestyle. 

This is how depression can increase the chances of heart disease - 

1. Lifestyle factors of depression

   According to a heart specialist in Kolkata, symptoms of 

   depression include low mood, changes in sleep patterns, loss of

    interest in things someone previously enjoyed, negative thoughts 

   about oneself, difficulty concentrating, and a change in appetite. 

    

   These symptoms can cause severe changes in a person’s daily 

   routines and habits, negatively impacting their physical health. 

   Depression causes people to neglect self-care. If the symptoms 

   last for extended periods, they may suffer from weight gain, 

   high blood pressure and develop other physical risk factors for 

   heart disease.

   
   

2. The physical effects of depression

Other than negative lifestyle impacts, depression can also affect a person’s 

body and has been linked to low-grade inflammation, says 

the best cardiologist in Kolkata. Low-grade inflammation can clog 

arteries, boost stress hormones, and make blood clot more easily, 

increasing the chance of developing heart disease. 

How to combat depression and heart disease?

Here are some steps to combat depression and heart disease – 

• If you experience symptoms of depression, talk to your doctor or mental 

  health professional.

• Quit smoking. 

• Get enough sleep.

• Reduce drinking 

• Exercise even if you do not feel like it. Even a little physical activity can 

  stimulate the production of feel-good hormones.

• Follow a balanced diet.

What is heart failure? A heart doctor discussed

 

Overview

When your heart muscles can’t pump blood as much as they should, heart failure occurs. This condition is also termed congestive heart failure. When this condition takes place, the patient’s blood may often back up and fluids accumulate in the lungs, causing shortness of breath. When a person goes through conditions such as high blood pressure or narrowed arteries that cause coronary artery disease, his/ her heart becomes extremely weak. This results in improper blood flow and the pumping of blood gets interrupted, says the best cardiologist in Kolkata associated with Medithics.

You will notice symptoms of heart failure that you must not ignore and consult a doctor as early as possible. Early detection can help you live longer, along with lifestyle changes.

Symptoms

Heart failure may be chronic or sudden, which is known as acute. The symptoms that you may find are as follows.

• Fatigue and weakness become constant companions.

• Swelling of your legs, feet and ankles can be noticed.

• While doing any activity or simply lying down, you may feel shortness of breath.

• Your ability to exercise may decrease.

• Irregular and rapid heartbeat can be felt.

• Cough that persists.

• You may also notice swelling in your abdomen area.

• Lack of appetite may occur along with nausea.

• You may gain weight rapidly due to fluid buildup.

• You may face difficulty concentrating.

• Chest pain may also take place.

None of the symptoms should be ignored, as these may indicate some more severe issues than you may imagine. Visit Medithics, the best superspeiality clinic where you can get appointments of the best heart doctors in Kolkata and get yourself tested in its diagnostic center.

 

 

Types of heart failure

• Right-sided heart failure: This condition causes swelling of the abdomen, legs and feet because of fluid accumulation.

• Left-side heart failure: In this case, fluid may back up in your lungs and as a result, you suffer from shortness of breath.

• Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: A filling problem may occur due to the less relaxation of the left ventricle.

• Systolic heart failure: This condition is also known as heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. In this condition, a pumping problem may occur due to the left ventricle that can’t contract vigorously.

Causes of chronic heart failure

According to the best heart doctor of Kolkata associated with Medithics, causes of chronic heart failure are as follows:

• Coronary artery disease and heart attack

• Faulty heart valves

• High blood pressure

• Damaged heart muscles

• Arrhythmias or abnormal heart rhythms

• Inflammation of heart muscle

• Congenital heart defect

• Long-term diseases like diabetes, overactive or underactive thyroid

Cause of acute heart failure

• Severe infection

• Blood clots in the lungs

• Allergic reactions

• Viruses that attack the heart muscle

Conclusion

Visit Medithics and make an appointment with the best cardiologist in Kolkata for any further assistance related to your heart issue.

Symptoms of heart disease- a Cardiologist’s guide

 

Overview

There are many heart diseases such as blood vessel disease, heart infection, heart valve disease, arrhythmias, disease of the heart muscle and congenital heart defects. Lifestyle choices may prevent you from getting many of these above-mentioned heart diseases, says a popular cardiologist in Kolkata.

 

 

Symptoms

Symptoms may vary depending on the heart disease you are affected by. But none of the symptoms should be ignored as if kept untreated; the disease may get worse and become deadly.

Heart disease in the blood vessels may cause symptoms such as,

• Chest discomfort or angina- pain, pressure, tightness, etc.

• Numbness, pain, coldness or weakness in the legs and arms

• Shortness of breath

• Pain in your jaw, back, upper abdomen, neck, throat, etc.

You may be detected with coronary artery disease if you face these symptoms. These may also lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure or angina.

Heart arrhythmias or abnormal heartbeats may also cause heart diseases. The symptoms are as follows:

• Racing or slow heartbeat

• Dizziness, light headedness

• Shortness of breath

• Fluttering in the chest

• Chest pain

• Fainting

Signs of heart disease due to heart defects are as follows.

• Blue or gray skin

• Feeling tired easily during activity or exercise

• Swelling in legs, hands, ankles, feet, abdomen or around the eyes

Diseases caused by heart muscle may cause symptoms like,

• Fatigue

• Swelling in legs

• Irregular heartbeats

• Breathlessness during activity or rest

• Light headedness and fainting

Symptoms of heart disease due to heart infection are,

• Rashes and spots on the skin

• Weakness

• Shortness of breath

• Fever

• Dry cough that persists

• Swelling in abdomen and legs

• Change in heart rhythm

Valvular heart disease- its symptoms:

• Chest pain

• Swollen feet and ankles

• Fatigue

• Irregular heartbeat

• Fainting

• Shortness of breath

Conclusion

If you ignore your symptoms and keep those untreated, you may suffer even more, so the best way to deal with the condition is to make an appointment with a famous cardiologist in South Kolkata and take help.