<p>&#39;Heart attack&#39;, &#39;heart disease&#39;, &#39;heart failure&#39; – all are commonly used words in Pakistani households. The reason is heart disease is the second biggest cause of death in Pakistan making preventing heart disease an important healthcare priority. This is the reason, while globally September 29^th is celebrated as World Hearth Day, the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Pakistan, celebrates the whole month of September as “Heart Month&quot; – bringing focus on creating awareness about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.
</p><p><strong>Preventing Heart Disease</strong></p><p>Maintaining a healthy lifestyle goes a long way in mitigating heart diseases and ensuring you continue to lead a healthy life without any heart complications. Commit to the below for a healthy heart:</p><ol><li>Eat a healthy diet including fruits and vegetable, whole grains and lean proteins.</li><li>Exercise at least 3-4 times a week with a combination of strength training, cardio and stretching exercises.</li><li>Control your weight. Being overweight or obese significantly increases the likelihood of cardiac diseases and disorders.</li><li>Quit smoking and avoid tobacco consumption.</li><li>Regularly consult your doctor to mitigate any potential risks and timely diagnosis.</li></ol><p>
</p><p><a href="https://padlet.com/AKUH/ufrmwi5wbuqn3pbb">Take AKUH&#39;s Heart Walk Challenge</a> </p><p><strong>Know the Warning Signs</strong></p><p>While a heart attack can occur at any given time, there are some symptoms that should alert you to go see a doctors. These include:</p><ul><li>Chest pain or fluttering, tightness or pressure in the chest or discomfort in the chest </li><li>Shortness of beath</li><li>Pain in the neck, jaw or throat</li><li>Pain in the upper belly or back</li><li>Pain, numbness or weakness in your limbs </li><li>Dizziness or lightheadedness</li><li>Fainting</li><li>Slow or fast heartbeat</li><li>Constant fatigue or getting tired too quickly 

</li></ul><p><strong>Diagnosis and Treatment for Heart Diseases</strong></p><p>Heart diseases and disorders are diagnosed in a variety of ways. Blood tests and chest X-rays determine your overall heart health before any treatment, hence it&#39;s important to consult your doctor regularly to monitor your heart health and watch out for any worrisome signs.</p><p>Being Pakistan&#39;s first JCI-accredited academic medical centre, AKUH is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment facilities for patients with cardiac diseases. Our diagnostic facilities include a dedicated cardio-pulmonary unit offering trusted quality services, while our recently updated cath lab offers all interventional procedures such as angiography and angioplasty.</p><p>At AKUH we also have a dedicated Cardiac Care Unit, an ICU for cardiac patients who need specialized care while they recover from life-threatening conditions, including heart attacks. </p><p>For more information or for appointments, call us at 021 111 911 911.​

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