Could you tell how your heart is? Unless you are under the care of a cardiologist or your doctor, there is a good chance that you will not know anything about it. In this case, there is something you can do from home.
A simple test to do in a few minutes
On TikTok, US-based cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Jeremy London recently shared an exercise that can reveal the symptoms of one of the biggest killers: blocked arteries, or coronary artery disease. And this, without a single blood test, X-ray or ECG. This blockage usually occurs when the buildup of fatty deposits, called plaques, increases inside the arteries that supply the heart. In fact, it makes them narrower and restricts vital blood flow.
Are you affected? A simple physical exercise can give you an indication:
“This involves first doing an activity that increases your heart rate, such as exercise or heavy housework for a few minutes, and taking note of the symptoms you experience” indicates the expert.
Then stop and rest, and note if symptoms persist.
“If chest tightness, chest pain, shortness of breath, or pain that radiates down the arm is felt during activity but stops instantly when you rest, this is a red flag.”insists Dr. London.
One of the leading causes of death in the West
Of course, exercise is not enough, it is a matter of confirming this through medical examinations and adequate care. But the appearance of these specific symptoms could be a sign of a blocked artery.
“As the heart rate increases during exercise, this blockage causes blood deprivation to the area beyond due to narrowing of the blood vessels” explains the specialist. Not experiencing these symptoms does not mean you are not at risk. “But anyone experiencing such problems should immediately consult a qualified doctor, such as a GP, for further testing.”he insists.
The narrowing of the arteries due to fatty deposits is thus the main cause of coronary heart disease and the leading cause of myocardial infarction, which affects 120,000 French people each year. People who are obese and don’t get enough exercise are most at risk. If left untreated, the fatty deposits break off and form a blood clot which can then completely block the flow of oxygen to the heart or an area of the brain for example. Hence the need to identify this state when there is still time.
Treatment for coronary heart disease generally involves adopting a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular physical activity and medications such as statins or blood thinners. If these measures are not enough, the patient may resort to surgical intervention.