TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Attack heart often without warning. However, researchers believe certain physiological changes can occur years before an event. For example, nail clubbing or stick fingers, are a lesser known risk factor.
Nails come in different shapes and sizes. However, an unusual change in appearance is a sign that the body is sick. Common nail problems include brittle and loose nails, often indicating a nutritional deficiency. However, when the nails become percussion, it can be a warning that the heart is in trouble.
Clubbing is a condition when the tips of the fingers experience swelling, which is then followed by the curling of the nails like the back of a spoon. This can indicate heart disease, colitis, lung, liver, thyroid disease, or HIV/AIDS. Red swelling near the cuticle can indicate inflammation, a bacterial or fungal infection, lupus, or another connective tissue disease.
Heart disease occurs when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart is interrupted. This condition is usually characterized by a feeling of tightness or pressure in the chest. Occasionally, symptoms may manifest on the nails in the form of clubbing fingers.
As heart disease progresses, the organs become chronically exposed to lower levels of oxygen in the blood. This disruption in oxygen exchange can lead to hypoxia, which stimulates an increase in the density of tiny blood vessels called capillaries.
Heart disease usually results from the long-term buildup of fatty deposits on the walls of the arteries leading to the heart. The lining of this passageway can block blood flow to the organs. Although heart disease is understood as a progressive disease, arteries can suddenly become blocked, causing heart attack. This will trigger sudden pain and discomfort such as dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.
Acting quickly when symptoms appear is key to survival because the longer the heart is deprived of oxygen, the greater the risk of death. Fortunately, avoiding a heart attack is possible with the help of a good diet and regular exercise.
The optimal diet to prevent heart disease is one that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts. It is important to avoid red meat and processed meats, and these contribute directly to the formation of plaque in the arteries. Exercise offers many physiological benefits because it encourages the arteries of the heart to widen.
Also read: Causes of Death Due to Congenital Heart Disease Still High
–
