The heart muscle is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to the whole system at a continuous pace every second that you are alive. Heart disease comes in various forms and it can lead to debilitating effects and even death when it is not treated.
Significance
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 652,091 people in the United States died in 2005 from heart disease, which accounted for 27.1 percent of all U.S. deaths. It has been determined to be the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women.
Risk Factors
Risk factors for heart disease are both changeable and not changeable. Age, gender, race and genetics are all factors that you have no control over. People over 65 years old are more susceptible to getting coronary heart disease, men are more likely to suffer a heart attack than women and children who have parents with heart disease are more likely to get it when they get older. Personal risk factors that can be changed include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, tobacco use, weight and physical inactivity.
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease is one of the most common types of heart disease. The arteries that supply the heart with oxygen and nutrient-rich blood become narrowed or clogged. This condition can cause chest pain, an abnormal beating of the heart and a heart attack.
Stroke
The brain can also feel the effects of heart disease because there are major blood vessels that pump blood to it. When they become clogged and narrowed, a stroke can take place. This often results in slurred speech and partial paralysis on one side of the body.
Congestive Heart Failure
When the heart becomes weakened and it can no longer pump blood at an adequate pace, congestive heart failure can occur. Symptoms of this condition include swollen legs, shortness of breath and an intolerance to exercise. It can be triggered from the heart being damaged from a heart attack.
Prevention/Solution
Treatments for heart disease come in various forms. Prescription drugs are one of the first lines of defense and they can lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels, improve the strength of the heart and reduce the chances for blood clots.
Surgical procedures are done to unclog arteries, bypass clogged arteries and replace the heart altogether.
Lifestyle changes are made that involve the elimination of high fats and high sodium from the diet and eating foods that are high in fiber and potassium instead. In addition to that, weight loss is recommended as is daily exercise.
