Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United states. Over 500,000 men and women die each year from heart disease in the United States alone.
What is Heart Disease
Heart disease is synonymous with coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease causes both angina and heart attacks (myocardial infarctions). The cardiovascular system is affected by other heart diseases such as:
- Congestive heart failure (the heart is beating too ineffectively to pump blood)
- Aneurysms (when the aorta has swelled up and created a bulge in the artery)
The heart acts as a pump and its purpose is to circulate blood to the body. There are 4 chambers in the heart that allow this to happen.
The first 2 chambers of the heart are called ventricles. The left and right ventricles have srong muscular walls that pump blood out of the heart. The second two chambers, known as the left and right atrium, pump blood into the heart.
The heart itself receives its blood from 3 coronary arteries. Coronary artery disease occurs when there is a buildup of plaque inside the coronary arteries, resulting in a condition known as atherosclerosis. When there is a sufficient amount of plaque build up in the arteries of the heart, angina occurs. Angina will cause cell death in the heart which causes a person to experience a heart attack, and produces severe chest pain in its victims.
Although cancer makes up 30% of annual deaths per year in the United States, heart disease still outweighs the total amount of deaths caused by cancer and influenza. Heart disease plays a part in 1 of every 4 deaths per year.
Heart Disease That Leads To a Heart Attack
As we previously discussed, heart disease is a blanket term used to describe multiple heart issues. Heart attacks are a life threatening issue resulting from heart disease.
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, causing cells and tissues to die. If you think someone is experiencing a heart attack, you need to act fast. Call 911 or the designated emergency phone number and monitor the individual. Heart attacks often lead to cardiac arrest.
Am I At Risk For Heart Disease?
The biggest risk factors associated with heart disease are high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. Another key risk factor in developing heart disease is smoking tobacco. The CDC reported that nearly 47% of all Americans have at least one of these risk factors.
Other risk factors associated with heart disease are:
- Being overweight or obese
- Having a poor diet
- Excessive alcohol use
- Not being physically active
Reducing the Risk of Heart Disease
You can reduce your risk of developing coronary heart disease with simple lifestyle practices.
- Have a healthy diet: Eating the correct amount of fruits and vegetables as well as having lower sodium and lower fat diets reduce the risk of CAD.
- Exercising regularly: Keeping the heart healthy means you have to challenge it. You should be having consistent anaerobic and aerobic exercises built in to your lifestyle.
- Medication: Some medications may be used to treat risk factors associated with high cholesterol and high blood pressure which in turn has a huge impact on heart rate and blood flow.
- Talk to your doctor: You should be going to your family doctor for your annual check up where you can discuss any relevant health concerns.
- Find a health coach: Health coaches are a great way to implement routine and accountability when you want to change your lifestyle.
The Best Pittsburgh Health and Fitness Resources:
Part of finding an answer to a problem is becoming the change. Every day you can wake up and choose to live a healthy lifestyle. Here are a few other resources to use:
6ycle
6ycle is an upbeat and inviting indoor spinning club! They offer more than just spinning though. They have classes in pilates and yoga as well. Aerobic exercises is one way to make sure you are challenging your heart and keeping healthy blood flow.
Check them out: http://6ycle.com/classes-3/
Team Wade Fitness
This team specializes in both fitness and nutrition. You don’t have to be an athlete (although they do train the best) to come to this club in Pittsburgh, PA. Keeping a healthy and monitored diet and anaerobic strength conditioning will help reduce the chances of developing heart disease.
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When someone experiences heart attack once in their life, they know how frightening it could be. Unfortunately, the chances of having heart attack is higher than before. But there are ways you could reduce the chances. Eating healthy foods and exercises could help. A repeat attacks often report different symptoms. so take care of your heart and consult the best cardiologist.