The rhythmic pumping of your heart is what sends blood to the various parts of your body. When your heart is healthy, the muscular walls respond to electrical signals and contract, pumping blood out. A damaged heart cannot pump effectively, depriving the organs and tissues of the body of sufficient blood. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the no 1 cause of death in the United States. Knowing the risk factors and ways to prevent this disease can mean the difference between life and death.
Heart Disease
You can be born with heart disease, or you may develop a condition such as a heart valve problem, or one where your heart is not able to pump properly. All these illnesses fall under the umbrella of heart disease, but the most common heart condition is coronary artery disease, which can lead to heart attacks. This condition, which can affect adults and children, results from the buildup of plaque, or cholesterol particles, in your arteries. This results in a gradual narrowing of the arteries, which restricts the flow of blood.
Signs of an Unhealthy Heart
When the heart cannot efficiently pump out the supply of blood coming in from the lungs, the blood backs up in the pulmonary veins and leaks back into the lungs. This can cause shortness of breath and persistent coughing or wheezing as fluid builds up in the lungs. A similar scenario occurs in other veins as the flow of blood out of the heart decreases. The blood in the veins back up, the kidneys stop functioning optimally and swelling occurs in places such as feet, ankles legs and abdomen. Your heart rate may increase as the heart beats faster to try to compensate for the inefficiency. As the tissues get less blood from the heart, fatigue and tiredness impair activities of daily living such as walking. Loss of appetite and confusion may result if your heart is not functioning at its best. Recognizing the signs of a failing heart can help you take the appropriate steps for treatment.
Risk Factors for Heart Disease
Your risk of developing heart disease depends on your medical condition, your behavior and your genetic background, or heredity. Medical conditions that increase your risk include high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes mellitus. Heart disease can run in your family; hence, there is a genetic component of risk. Your behavior and lifestyle choices can significantly increase your risk of heart disease. Cigarette smoking, a diet high in cholesterol, saturated fats and sodium, lack of exercise, being overweight and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol are all factors that can contribute to poor heart health.
Keeping Your Heart Healthy
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists the following steps you can take to help keep your heart healthy. Adopt a high fiber diet that is low in sodium, cholesterol and saturated fats. Maintain a healthy body weight. Exercise regularly. Do not smoke. Drink alcohol sparingly and treat any medical conditions you may have. Keeping your heart healthy is a good first step to having a healthy body. Talk to your doctor before you make any diet and exercise changes.
References
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: What is the Heart?
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Hearth Disease
- American Heart Association: Warning Signs of Heart Failure
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Heart Disease Risk Factors
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Prevention, What You Can Do
