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)
- Swelling in feet, ankles,
and legs
- Extreme tiredness
-
- 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.
Do women need to worry about heart
disease?
Yes. One in three American women
dies of heart disease. In 2003, almost twice as many women died of cardiovascular
disease (both heart disease and stroke) than from all cancers combined. The older
a woman gets, the more likely she is to get heart disease. But women of all ages
should be concerned about heart disease. All women should take steps to prevent
heart disease. Both men
and women have heart attacks, but more women who have heart attacks die from them.
Treatments can limit heart damage but they must be given as soon as possible after
a heart attack starts. Ideally, treatment should start within one hour of the
first symptoms. If
you think you're having a heart attack, call 911 right away. Tell the operator
your symptoms and that you think you're having a heart attack.
Do women of color need to worry about
heart disease?
Yes. African American and
Hispanic American/Latina women are more likely to get heart disease because they
tend to have more risk factors such as obesity, lack of exercise, high blood
pressure, and diabetes than white women. Women of color also are more likely than
white women to die of heart disease. If you're a woman of color, take steps to
reduce your risk factors.
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.
- 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.
|
