Chronic Diseases: Heart Disease
Chronic Diseases: Heart Disease
Heart disease is the most frequent condition affecting the heart, known as coronary artery disease. Over time, a buildup of cholesterol creates a substance of plaque on the inside of the coronary arteries blocking the blood flow to the heart causing it to damage the heart muscle. When a heart attack occurs, it creates permanent damage killing a portion of the heart. If the heart cannot effectively pump blood to the body, it will reduce the flow, and begin beating abnormally or worse go into cardiac arrest requiring immediate medical treatment to prevent damage to the brain and death. Heart disease is well studied and therefore better able to manage the risk factors as well as prevention, but it also accounts for more than 30% of all deaths. Among men and women, heart disease is the most common cause of death; in fact, a woman is eight times more likely to die of heart disease than of breast cancer. One may survive with heart disease for several years; however, one can expect the following disabilities, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue limiting the quality of life.
Causes of coronary artery disease are understood more than any other health condition among the medical profession. The likelihood of developing coronary artery disease increase because of high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and obesity and described as major risk factors. Diets high in saturated fat and low in fiber, sedentary lifestyles, and family history are also considered high risk factors. Acquiring one or more risk factors does not necessarily mean one will develop heart disease and avoiding them will not warrant a clean bill of health.
Controlling current behaviors, specifically changing diet, incorporate exercise three to four times a week, and eliminate stress are some of the things to do now to lower the risk in developing heart disease. Further recommendations to prevent the development of heart disease, one should
Heart disease is the most frequent condition affecting the heart, known as coronary artery disease. Over time, a buildup of cholesterol creates a substance of plaque on the inside of the coronary arteries blocking the blood flow to the heart causing it to damage the heart muscle. When a heart attack occurs, it creates permanent damage killing a portion of the heart. If the heart cannot effectively pump blood to the body, it will reduce the flow, and begin beating abnormally or worse go into cardiac arrest requiring immediate medical treatment to prevent damage to the brain and death. Heart disease is well studied and therefore better able to manage the risk factors as well as prevention, but it also accounts for more than 30% of all deaths. Among men and women, heart disease is the most common cause of death; in fact, a woman is eight times more likely to die of heart disease than of breast cancer. One may survive with heart disease for several years; however, one can expect the following disabilities, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue limiting the quality of life.
Causes of coronary artery disease are understood more than any other health condition among the medical profession. The likelihood of developing coronary artery disease increase because of high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and obesity and described as major risk factors. Diets high in saturated fat and low in fiber, sedentary lifestyles, and family history are also considered high risk factors. Acquiring one or more risk factors does not necessarily mean one will develop heart disease and avoiding them will not warrant a clean bill of health.
Controlling current behaviors, specifically changing diet, incorporate exercise three to four times a week, and eliminate stress are some of the things to do now to lower the risk in developing heart disease. Further recommendations to prevent the development of heart disease, one should