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Heart Disease
What is heart disease?
Heart disease is a number of abnormal conditions affecting the heart and
the blood vessels in the heart. Types of heart disease include:
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type and is the leading
cause of heart attacks. When you have CAD, your arteries become hard and
narrow. Blood has a hard time getting to the heart, so the heart does
not get all the blood it needs. CAD can lead to:
Angina. Angina is chest pain or discomfort that happens when the heart
does not get enough blood. It may feel like a pressing or squeezing
pain, often in the chest, but sometimes the pain is in the shoulders,
arms, neck, jaw, or back. It can also feel like indigestion (upset
stomach). Angina is not a heart attack, but having angina means you are
more likely to have a heart attack
Heart attack. A heart attack occurs when an artery is severely or
completely blocked, and the heart does not get the blood it needs for
more than 20 minutes.
Heart failure occurs when the heart is
not able to pump blood through the body as well as it should. This means
that other organs, which normally get blood from the heart, do not get
enough blood. It does NOT mean that the heart stops. Signs of heart
failure include:
-
Shortness of breath (feeling like you
can't get enough air)
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Swelling in feet, ankles, and legs
Extreme tiredness
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Heart arrhythmias are changes in the
beat of the heart. Most people have felt dizzy, faint, out of breath or
had chest pains at one time.
These changes in heartbeat are,
for most people, harmless. As you get older, you are more likely to have
arrhythmias. Don't panic if you have a few flutters or if your heart
races once in a while. If you have flutters AND other symptoms such as
dizziness or shortness of breath (feeling like you can't get enough
air), call 911 right away.
What can I do to prevent heart
disease?
You can reduce your chances of getting heart disease by taking these
steps:
Know your blood pressure. Your heart moves blood through your body. If
it is hard for your heart to do this, your heart works harder, and your
blood pressure will rise. People with high blood pressure often have no
symptoms, so have your blood pressure checked every 1 to 2 years. If you
have high blood pressure , your doctor may suggest you make some
lifestyle changes, such as eating less salt (DASH Eating Plan) and
exercising more. Your doctor may also prescribe medicine to help lower
your blood pressure.
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Don't smoke. If you smoke, try to
quit. If you're having trouble quitting, there are products and programs
that can help: Nicotine patches and gums Support groups. Programs to
help you stop smoking Ask your doctor or nurse for help. For more
information on quitting, visit Quitting Smoking.
Get tested for diabetes . People with
diabetes have high blood glucose (often called blood sugar). People with
high blood sugar often have no symptoms, so have your blood sugar
checked regularly. Having diabetes raises your chances of getting heart
disease. If you have diabetes, your doctor will decide if you need
diabetes pills or insulin shots. Your doctor can also help you make a
healthy eating and exercise plan.
Get your cholesterol and triglyceride
levels tested. High blood cholesterol can clog your arteries and keep
your heart from getting the blood it needs. This can cause a heart
attack. Triglycerides are a form of fat in your blood stream. High
levels of triglycerides are linked to heart disease in some people.
People with high blood cholesterol or high blood triglycerides often
have no symptoms, so have your blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels
checked regularly. If your cholesterol or triglyceride levels are high,
talk to your doctor about what you can do to lower them. You may be able
to lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels by eating better and
exercising more. Your doctor may prescribe medication to help lower your
cholesterol.
Maintain a healthy weight. Being
overweight raises your risk for heart disease. Calculate your Body Mass
Index (BMI) to see if you are at a healthy weight. Eat a healthy diet
and exercise at a moderate intensity for at least 30 minutes most days
of the week. Start by adding more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
to your diet. Take a brisk walk on your lunch break or take the stairs
instead of the elevator.
If you drink alcohol, limit it to no
more than one drink (one 12 ounce beer, one 5 ounce glass of wine, or
one 1.5 ounce shot of hard liquor) a day.
Find healthy ways to cope with stress.
Lower your stress level by talking to your friends, exercising, or
writing in a journal.
Avoid Surgery if you can maintain with
medicines. Even after surgery you have to be under medication and diet
control
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