Forget love, how is your heart?

JOYCE GATHU, tells you why you should focus on nurturing your heart this Valentine

It is yet another Valentine’s Day and love is in the air. There are those who chose to indulge in chocolates, flowers and dress in red. Others are more flamboyant as they device creative ways to express their love. But there are also those who chose to be observers.

Whichever way you chose to celebrate this day, remember there is more to your heart than its emotive

Otherwise, this Valentine’s Day could be like one unforgettable day in Agnes Wanjiru’s life. But for all the wrong reasons.

It had been a normal day for Wanjiru, nothing seemed or felt unusual as she checked herself into Nyeri Town Health Centre.

She was seeking answers for her regular fatigue during her daily chores, which she had always accomplished comfortably.

But as she was about to find out, this particular day in 1978 will remain etched in her mind. She was diagnosed with a heart problem.

Since then, Wanjiru has found herself in and out of the hospital.

She says, "I have been a familiar face in at least five hospitals including Mathari, Outspan and Nyeri Provincial General Hospital as well as many free medical clinics and I have been admitted more times than I can remember."

Hopeful that her heart would improve and give her reprieve from the constant discomfort and fatigue associated with a defective heart, Wanjiru has visited Ushindi Medical Clinic in Mbeere District which is over 300 kilometres from Nyeri town, not once but about ten times but the problem persists.

She has spent at least Sh100,000 in search of a remedy.

"It is difficult living with a heart problem. I’m tired of being told that my heart is running faster than normal or slower than normal. Sometimes I’m told my chorestoral is low. Hope and confidence has kept me alive," she says.

Wanjiru is, however, not alone. Many people discover they have heart problems when they get ill.

Dr Emma Karari, a consultant physician/cardiologist says, "When you feel easily fatigued while say climbing the stairs and get breathless, or experience chest pains while doing something physical, consider these as warning signals."

She, however, cautions that heart-related chest pains are usually more of a discomfort and it is a dull pain that stops when one rests.

"A healthy heart has a lot to do with our diet," advises Karari.

People should have a heart-healthy diet that is low in fat, sugar and salt.

Avoiding excessive alcohol is also crucial. Physical exercise is also important as is physical, psychological and emotional rest. An absence of these habits predisposes an individual to a myriad of heart problems," she explains.

Dr Karari lays emphasis on avoiding a stressful lifestyle since studies among people who have had a heart attack have revealed that the attack tends to occur around stressful events.

She further points out that there are certain risk factors that improve one’s chances of getting a heart attack, which is usually a consequent of the heart muscle not having enough blood (and consequently oxygen).

"If people eat diets high in fat, sugar and salt, they place their bodies at vulnerable positions because they tend to add excessive weight, become diabetic or even develop high blood pressure among other cardiovascular diseases," she expounds.

Having these health conditions increases chances of one developing heart problems as does other habits like smoking, which in itself puts one at risk of a heart attack.

Wanjiru can attest to these facts as she is both diabetic and suffers from high blood pressure.

Besides eating a well-balanced meal, Dr Karari explains that there are exercises that can keep our hearts healthy.

She says, "General body exercise is important as long as it is brisk.

Exercises towards keeping your heart healthy are not sophisticated and expensive as is the misconception among many people. Brisk walking, jumping and even skipping a rope can make a difference between you predisposing yourself to heart problems or keeping healthy."

There is a condition though; one should exercise 30 minutes to an hour after breaking a sweat. Meaning that if one is skipping, they should do so until they break a sweat after which they should keep skipping for anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour. And this should be done at least four times a week although the doctor says daily would be the ideal habit.

Having a healthy heart is, therefore, largely achievable when the heart-healthy lifestyle habits are adhered to.

Although our genetic makeup cannot be completely overruled from heart-related problems that people continue to grapple with, Dr Karari says, "Genes load the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger."

All this is however, not to discourage you from celebrating Valentine’s Day whose origin remains shrouded in mystery with numerous stories to explain its history.

The patron, Saint Valentine has inarguably remained inextricably entwined with this day and there are numerous legends to explain why.

Some claim that Valentine may have been killed for making an attempt to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were subjected to gross human violations.

Other romanticised stories suggest that while Valentine was in prison, he fell in love with a young woman believed to be his jailor’s daughter.

Bursting with love and passion for his beloved, he is said to have written her a letter signed, "From your Valentine," from which this day is believed to have been born.

If you chose to celebrate this day, avoid excessive alcohol, although an occasional glass or two of wine will not predispose you to a heart attack.