Heart disease, in all its forms, describes a non-communicable disease that results majorly built on the lifestyle and day to day ways of individuals. Sedentary routine in individuals who should indulge in activities that absolve health issues is a significant factor in the development of chronic non-communicable diseases whose implications on mortality are dire. Heart disease, which can also be termed as cardiovascular disease, is heavily linked to lifestyle choices. Cardiovascular disease is considered the most dangerous disease globally accounting for most of the disease-related deaths at about 17.7 million (Tabish, 2017). To understand the repercussions of lifestyle habits of individuals, the four classes of non-communicable diseases considered the most lethal threats to human mortality need to be analyzed, and the risk factors identified. These diseases are cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease and diabetes. The major underlying risk factors associated with these diseases in behavioural nature include insufficient physical activity, tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diet (Menotti et al., 2015). These non-communicable diseases are characterized by complex aetiology, multiple risk factor that leads to their onset and prevalence. A long latency period stretching over several years originates from a non-contagious state, a prolonged course of illness which tentatively results in functional impairment or disability.
The causes of lifestyle ailments can be classified under modifiable behavioural issues, non-modifiable risk issues and metabolic risk features. The poor eating habits, alcohol abuse, lack of physical exercise or activity and smoking all fall under the blanket of lifestyle choices which cause diseases but are modifiable risk factors. Non-modifiable lifestyle risk factors such as race, age, gender and genetics describe factors that cannot be mitigated or controlled by interventions, whether personal or medical. Finally, metabolic risk factors alter the metabolic system of the human body that increases the possibility of developing lifestyle ailments (Tabish, 2017). Obesity, Increases fat levels in the blood, amplified blood pressure and increased glucose levels affect normal body functions which can trigger the onset of non-communicable diseases.
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With a focus on cardiovascular disease, the subculture analysis reveals a gender parity in the development and prevalence of the disease. Most studies and research describe the development of the disease later in women than men, with numbers ranging from 7 to 10 years. The studies reveal that men are more prone to risky behaviour when it comes to lifestyle choices such as alcohol and tobacco abuse (Mass & Appleman, 2011). History dictates that women are more likely to take care of their health and daily habits owing to their motherly nature in taking care of their families. Women indulge in healthy diets, regular physical activity and deter from harmful habits like abuse of alcohol and tobacco. Men being more independent and isolated, often indulge in behavioural risk factors which are often addictive, leading them to non-communicable diseases such as heart disease. In this regard, however, programs and campaigns aimed at educating men on the risk of non-communicable diseases allow practical interventions that manage the dire effects of such diseases on men. Existing misconceptions on women who are biased to be safe from the development of cardiovascular disease result in aggressive mortality rates of women who develop the disease (Brown & O'Connor, 2010). Self-awareness is therefore critical for both men and women when it comes to prevention, identification and management of non-communicable diseases such as heart disease. Differences in the presentation of clinical data on cardiovascular disease for both men and women should drive the strategies employed to curb the extent of the disease in both subcultures.
As it is evident, most of the non-communicable diseases can be controlled by managing the modifiable risk factors associated with them. Lifestyle habits, especially those with addictive tendencies, need to be discouraged by employed both low-cost and high-cost solutions. Governments and medical institutions need to monitor the trends of diseases such as heart disease in the communities, identify the subcultures that are mostly affected and developed guided policies and comprehensive research strategies. Collaborative efforts approach of all sectors of the society, including health, education, finance and planning mitigate the risk of cardiovascular disease prevalence through awareness and control using interventions for prevention and treatment. Globally, the accepted methodology of managing non-communicable diseases such as disease has been delivered through extensive research which provides proper and early diagnosis, screening and treatment (Mass & Appleman, 2011). This strategy is palliative to individuals already affected by such diseases and requires immediate and consistent care. Thorough research also provides quality lifestyle solutions that apply to prone and risky subcultures to the development of non-communicable diseases. These interventions should be provided at healthcare institutions offering primary care to subcultures at risk where they are educated and early detection protocols. The individuals already affected get prioritized and proper treatment at affordable costs.
Obstacles to current and plans when it comes to prevention, management and control of non-communicable diseases include financial constraint and economic situation as well as misconceptions and behaviour when it comes to the history of diseases such as cardiovascular disease. Low economies and communities have a higher risk of acquiring non-communicable diseases owing to the increased risk of indulging in modifiable risk factors such as alcohol and tobacco abuse and lack of a healthy diet. Diagnosis and treatment options are too expensive, leaving the subculture at the harsh and aggressive reality of diseases such as heart disease (Tabish, 2017). Awareness campaigns and education are a rare occurrence where communities are ignorant of the risks involved in lifestyle choices and resultant chronic ailments. Furthermore, such subcultures become accustomed and addicted to risk behavioural factors that become hard to let go—overcoming these obstacles required government and non-governmental assistance through financial aid in setting up health institutions that offer affordable care with awareness and rehabilitation facilities. Governments should also subsidize costs of commodities such as medicine and food and create employment opportunities that indulge poor subcultures into physical activities, healthy diets and healthy lifestyles.
References
Brown, J. & O'Connor, G. (2010). Coronary Heart Disease and Prevention in the United States. New England Journal of Medicine (362), pp2150-2153. Doi: 10.1056/NEJMp1003880
Maas, A. & Appleman, Y. (2011). Gender differences in coronary heart disease. Netherlands Heart Journal (18), pp 598-603. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12471-010-0841-y
Menotti, A., Puddu, P., Maiani, G. & Catasta, G. (2015). Lifestyle behavior and lifetime incidence of heart diseases. International Journal of Cardiology , Volume 201, pp. 293-299. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2015.08.050
Tabish, S. (2017). Lifestyle Diseases: Consequences, Characteristics, Causes and Control. Journal of Cardiology & Current Research , Volume 9, Issue 3. Doi: 10.15406/jccr.2017.09.00326
