Heart disease collectively is several abnormal conditions affecting the heart and its blood vessels. Sometimes called cardiovascular disease, it mostly affects mature people and is a sign that there are problems with the heart and blood vessels. It has become the number one cause of death in the United States, is a major cause of disability, doesn't go away, but by working with your MD, you can live longer and feel better. Types of cardiovascular disease include: Coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common type and is the leading reason for heart attacks.
In 2003, nearly twice as many women died of cardiovascular disease (both heart disease and stroke) than from the total of all cancers combined. The older a woman grows, the more likely she becomes to develop cardiovascular disease; however women of all ages should be concerned. African American and Hispanic American/Latina females are more likely to get heart disease because they usually tend to have more risk factors such as obesity, insufficient exercise, high blood pressure, and diabetes than Caucasian women. Women of color are also more apt to die of the disease.
Having diabetes raises your odds of getting heart disease and high levels of triglycerides are linked to the disease in some individual. Also being overweight increases your risk. Chest or arm pain or discomfort can be a symptom of cardiovascular disease and a warning sign of a real or impending heart attack. If your dad or brother had a heart attack before age fifty five, or if your mom had one before age 65, you're more apt to develop heart disease. Birth control pills can pose risks for some women, especially females older than 35; women with elevated blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol and women who smoke.
Nearly 700,000 persons die of heart disease in the U.S. every year. You can learn more about heart disease by contacting the National Women's Health Information Center at 1-800-994-9662. The risk of coronary disease can be reduced by taking steps to prevent and control those factors that put individuals at elevated risk for cardiovascular disease and heart attack. The very best means to prevent heart disease are to control high blood pressure, diabetes or a high cholesterol level and, if you are a smoker, STOP SMOKING.
Cholesterol
What part does high cholesterol play with heart disease? Cholesterol can clog your arteries and prevent your heart from getting the blood it requires. People with high blood cholesterol or high blood triglycerides often show no symptoms, so get your blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked regularly. If your levels are high, talk to your health care provider about what you can do to reduce them. You may be able to lower your levels by eating better and exercising more frequently, if not, your health care provider may prescribe medication to lower and bring it under control.
If there is an excessive amount of cholesterol in your blood, it can build up on the inside of your arteries, forming plaque and causing blood clots. There are primarily 2 types of cholesterol: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is normally called the "bad" form because it can clog the arteries that deliver blood to your heart. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as the "good" type because it removes the bad cholesterol from your blood and keeps it from building up in your arteries. All women age twenty and older should have their blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked at minimum once every 5 years. If you are overweight, losing weight can help decrease your total cholesterol and LDL ("bad cholesterol") levels.
Try to eat primarily foods low in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol. Skim (fat-free) or low-fat (1%) milk and cheeses, and low-fat or nonfat yogurt, Fruits and vegetables (try for 5 daily), Cereals, breads, rice, and pasta made from whole grains (such as "whole-wheat" or "whole-grain" bread and pasta, rye bread, brown rice, and oatmeal), Eat less organ meats (such as liver, kidney, brains), Egg yolks, Fats (butter, lard) and oils, packaged and processed foods.
There are two diets that can aid you in lowering your cholesterol: Heart Healthy Diet and Therapeutic Lifestyles Changes (TLC) Diet. An exercise plan can help lower LDL ("bad cholesterol") and raise HDL ("good cholesterol"). If your physican has prescribed medicine to reduce your cholesterol, take it precisely as you have been directed.
Conclusion
Heart disease is not contagious - you can't catch it like you can influenza or a cold. It is a general term that refers to a variety of acute and chronic medical problems that affect one or more of the components of the heart. The symptoms you describe to your physician will aid to ascertain if you need to be tested for heart disease. Your physician will also check if you have any other problems that can increase your risks of getting the disease. These conditions include: elevated blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol level, menopause in women, family members who have had heart disease at a young age. If you have cardiovascular disease, your angina can be treated by treating the heart disease. Keeping a healthy diet and weight plus a regular exercise plan can help you avoid heart disease.
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