We need to understand first that some types of heart disease are congenital and may not be commonly encountered. For example, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is often found in athletes who experience sudden death during exercise. Another common condition is vascular obstruction. Athletes who exercise regularly often think they are fine, but it is actually quite common. Sometimes coaches come with symptoms of coronary artery blockage and need balloon angioplasty on 2-3 vessels, even though they have been healthy all along. Many football players also experience chest pain while running, and upon examination, they are found to have coronary artery blockage requiring balloon angioplasty at a young age. Due to changes in dietary habits compared to the past, we now consume more fatty foods, fried foods, and junk food.
It can be seen that Thai people have become much more overweight. One in three people in the country is obese, ranking second in Asia for obesity, which has led to an increase in heart disease patients. On average, 7 Thais die from heart disease every hour, and more than 50 percent die before reaching the hospital.
Can people with heart disease live a normal life?
Patients with ischemic heart disease who have been treated and have good control of their coronary arteries, and who pass treadmill tests normally, can live a normal life. However, they must continue taking medication. Aspirin or blood-thinning medication is very important and must be taken for life because once there is vascular obstruction, it means there is pathology in the blood vessels. It is similar to plumbing pipes that, once scaled, are never the same. But if blood pressure and cholesterol are well controlled, medication may be reduced in the future.
