Are You Alcoholic? Check Your Heart Health

If you like to drink alcohol, it's time to be vigilant. Do your heart health checks to detect possible early emergence of liver cirrhosis.

"For those of you who have a history of heavy alcohol drinkers or affected by chronic hepatitis, you should conduct examination yourself as an early detection measures," said Dr. Irsan Hasan, SpPD KGEH, Specialist Internal Medicine-Hepatology Consultant Gastroentero Jatinegara Premier Hospital in talk show in Jakarta.

All over the world, liver cirrhosis is the leading cause of death of the fifth for men and seventh for women. Approximately 25,000 people die each year from this disease. Liver cirrhosis in Indonesia suffered more by men than women.

In the early stages of cirrhosis didn't cause any symptoms, because patients may suffer from cirrhosis of the liver for longer periods of time without being aware of the disease. 

Cirrhosis are also at risk of developing liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma). The risk varies according to the cause of cirrhosis, the biggest risk is caused by infection with hepatitis C and B, followed by haemochromatosis.

Moreover, if the results of physical examination found an enlarged heart and fluid accumulation, then there is a suspicion you get cirrhosis of the liver. Blood tests can also confirm the failure of liver function.

"If cirrhosis is not clearly detected, it can also be examined hepatitis virus antibodies or auto-antibodies that may have been attacking your liver cells, excess iron or copper in the blood, and others," he said.

The liver is the largest organ in the body. Cirrhosis is a chronic disease that attacks the liver on an ongoing basis and in the long run. This means that damage to normal liver tissue that makes this organ can not be working properly.