Global Courant
Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in America. Cardiovascular diseases include heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), and stroke. More than 58,800,000 Americans suffer from some form of cardiovascular disease. That’s about one in five Americans, with more than 2,500 Americans dying from it every day. More than two in five Americans with cardiovascular disease die from it. Of those with heart disease, 52.2 percent are male and 47.8 percent are female; 88.2 percent are white, 9.5 percent are black, and 2.4 percent are of another race. Clearly, heart disease is a national concern.
Every year, at least 250,000 people die of heart attacks before reaching a hospital. Half of all heart attack victims wait more than two hours before getting help. Studies show that less educated people are more likely to have heart attacks. Estimates are that 3 million Americans experience occasional chest pain.
As many as 50 million Americans have high blood pressure, the leading cause of heart disease. Of those people, 35 percent don’t know they have it. High blood pressure is easy to detect and usually manageable.
If all forms of cardiovascular disease were eradicated, life expectancy would increase by 7 years.
What is Heart Disease?
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common form of cardiovascular disease. Each year, approximately 7 million Americans suffer from coronary heart disease and more than 500,000 die from heart attacks caused by CHD. This type of heart disease is caused by the narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. A heart attack occurs when an artery becomes blocked, preventing oxygen and nutrients from reaching the heart.
Like any muscle, the heart needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients supplied by the blood in the coronary arteries. When the coronary arteries become narrowed or clogged and cannot supply enough blood to the heart, the result is coronary artery disease. The pain felt due to insufficient oxygen-carrying blood is called angina pectoris. This pain is usually felt in the chest and/or left arm and shoulder. However, sometimes there are no symptoms. This is called silent angina. When the blood supply is completely cut off, the result is a heart attack. The part of the heart that does not receive oxygen begins to die and the heart muscles can become permanently damaged.
What are the symptoms of CHD?
For many people, the first symptom of coronary artery disease is a heart attack. But not all heart attacks begin with a sudden, crushing chest pain, as shown on television or in movies. So it’s important to know the warning signs so you can be treated within an hour of the first symptom.
The most common warning signs are:
o Chest pain (angina) or discomfort. Usually in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes. A person may feel pressure, squeezing, tightness, burning, or pain, usually behind the breastbone. The discomfort can be mild or severe and it may come and go. It is also possible to have a heart attack without having any of these symptoms.
o Discomfort in other parts of the upper body. Pain or pressure can also be in one or both arms, neck, back, jaw, or abdomen.
o Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort.
o Other symptoms. Other early signs include nausea, light-headedness, or breaking out in a cold sweat.
Women are less likely than men to experience chest pain, and more likely to experience shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and jaw or back pain.
What causes CHD?
Coronary artery disease is caused by a buildup of fat and cholesterol in the blood that causes the blood to become abnormally thick (viscous). The thicker your blood, the higher your risk of clogged arteries. Viscous blood forces the heart to pump harder, which raises blood pressure. The increased pumping action causes friction along the walls of the arteries, causing gradual thickening and hardening, leading to the development of plaque, almost like calluses. The buildup of fat and cholesterol also adheres to the walls of the arteries, causing the walls to contract. This process is called atherosclerosis.
This hardening and narrowing of the arterial wall further increases blood pressure. The increased pressure can cause the deposits to rupture, which can cause a heart attack or stroke. Plaque buildup also restricts the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the heart, leading to further damage.
In addition to high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity also increase the risk of heart disease. That’s why it’s so important to take action to prevent and manage these conditions.
Risk factors
Risk factors are conditions or habits that make a person more likely to develop a disease. They can also increase the chance of an existing disease getting worse. Some can be changed and some cannot. Important risk factors for heart disease that you can control include:
o High blood pressure
o High cholesterol in the blood
o diabetes
o Smoking
o Obesity
o Physical inactivity
o Voltage
Risk factors that you cannot control are:
o Heredity (with a family history of coronary heart disease)
o Gender
o Age
Tips to help protect your heart
While certain risk factors can’t be changed, it’s important to realize that you have control over many others. Regardless of your age, background, or health condition, you can lower your risk of heart disease — and it doesn’t have to be complicated. Protecting your heart can be as simple as taking a brisk walk, eating a variety of vegetables, or getting the support you need to maintain a healthy weight.
o Eat healthy. Limit your sodium (salt) consumption to less than 2,000 milligrams (2 grams) per day. Eat foods high in fiber and potassium. Eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids or take a fish oil supplement daily. Eat a lot of fruit and vegetables, at least 5 servings a day. Limit foods high in fat (especially saturated fat), cholesterol, and sugar. If necessary, reduce the total daily intake of calories to lose weight.
o Exercise regularly. Thirty minutes of aerobic exercise such as walking, jogging, cycling four days a week will strengthen your heart, lower your blood pressure and help you control your weight. If you have heart disease or uncontrolled high blood pressure, a regular cardiovascular exercise program prescribed by your doctor will help improve your overall health and make you feel better. It can also reverse the progression of heart disease.
o Manage your weight. If you are overweight, start a weight loss program now. Studies have shown that obesity is a contributing factor to diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Women who are overweight in the midsection, in particular, have a higher risk of heart disease. Researchers at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City analyzed data from 6,000 women and found that 90% of women with a waist size greater than 35 inches also had at least one major risk factor for heart disease.
o Take your medication/treatment. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, high blood cholesterol or high blood pressure and have been given medicines to control these conditions, take them. Look for additional herbal and vitamin supplements to strengthen your immune system and improve your overall health.
o Reduce psychological stress. Most of us tend to downplay the role of stress in the development of heart disease. Studies have shown that there is a direct link between work stress and heart disease. Stressful jobs and workplace inequity can increase the risk of heart disease, according to a recent study conducted by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health in Helsinki, Finland. If you feel like stress is a problem in your life, seek help finding a stress reduction program. Look for ways to manage stress, such as supplements, exercise, and meditation.
No one plans to have a heart attack. But just as you would have a plan in case of a fire, it’s important to have a plan for coping with a potential heart attack. Here are some steps you can take to deal with the possibility:
o Be familiar with the warning signs of a heart attack.
o Talk to family and friends about the signs and the need to quickly call 9-1-1.
o Talk to your healthcare provider about your risk factors and how you can reduce them.
o Take herbal supplements and vitamins to reduce your risk factors and prevent other factors.
o Write a “heart attack survival plan” with medical information and keep it handy.
If you feel heart attack symptoms, don’t wait any longer. Don’t wait to call 9-1-1. Your chance of survival or less severe damage will increase if treatment begins within an hour of the first symptom.
sources:
American Medical Association, Family Medical Guide, 4th Edition
Journal of Women’s Health, January 2006
Centers for Disease Control
American Heart Association
Healthy heart recipe
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