|
When talking about the heart disease,
generally people think of coronary
artery disease (narrowing of the arteries
leading to the heart), but coronary
artery disease is just one type of
cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular disease includes a
number of conditions affecting the
structures or function of the heart.
They can include:
- Coronary artery disease (including
heart attack)
- Abnormal heart rhythms or arrythmias
- Heart failure
- Heart valve disease
- Congenital heart disease
- Heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy)
- Pericardial disease
- Aorta disease and Marfan syndrome
- Vascular disease (blood vessel disease)
Cardiovascular disease is the leading
cause of death for both men and women
in the U.S. It is important to learn
about your heart to help prevent heart
disease. And, if you have cardiovascular
disease, you can live a healthier,
more active life by learning about
your disease and treatments and by
becoming an active participant in
your care.
What are the likely symptoms of the
heart disease ?
Most common or "classic"
warning signals of a heart attack
are :
- Uncomfortable pressure, fullness,
squeezing or pain in the
center of the chest that lasts more
than a few minutes, or goes
away and comes back.
- Pain that spreads to the shoulders,
neck or arms.
- Chest discomfort with lightheadedness,
fainting, sweating, nausea
or shortness of breath.
Less common warning signs of heart
attack:
- Atypical chest pain, stomach or
abdominal pain.
- Nausea or dizziness (without chest
pain).
- Shortness of breath and difficulty
breathing (without chest pain).
- Unexplained anxiety, weakness or
fatigue.
- Palpitations, cold sweat or paleness.
Not all these signs occur in every
attack. Sometimes they go away and
return.
If some occur, get help fast and call
your emergency medical services.
What causes the heart disease?
Besides drinking (alcohol), eating
fatty food, smoking, chewing tobacco,
the following factors increase the
risk of heart disease – some
of which are fixed and some are modifiable
by lifestyle.
Fixed risk factors includes,
- Older age (men over 45, women over
55)
- Gender (men are at higher risk at
the same age)
- Family history of heart disease
Modifiable risk factors includes,
- Smoking
- High levels of fat in blood - i.e.,
high cholesterol and/ or triglyceride
levels
- Lack of exercise
- High blood pressure, especially
diastolic BP
- High levels of sugar in blood, insulin
resistance and diabetes
How do one prevent heart diseases?
- Identifying and treating people
with established disease and those
at very high
risk of developing cardiovascular
disease.
- Treating and rehabilitating patients
who've had a heart attack or stroke
to prevent
a second cardiovascular or cerebrovascular
event.
Heart or stroke patients can do this
to help lower their risk of recurring
disease
- Ask your doctor to suggest an appropriate
level of exercise
that you can do for 30-60 minutes
3-4 times per week.
- Ask what your ideal weight is, and
if you exceed it by more than 20 percent,
ask your doctor to prescribe a diet
and exercise program.
- Have your blood pressure checked
regularly. If you have high blood
pressure,
you may be put on medication. You'll
also be told about weight control,
physical activity, drinking alcohol
and sodium intake.
- Ask your doctor if you should take
aspirin daily or another medication.
- If you smoke, ask about counseling,
nicotine replacement methods and
formal cessation programs to help
you quit.
What medications are used to treat
heart disease ?
Some of the medications prescribed
for diabetes include
|
