Heart Disease
Heart disease is any disorder that affects the heart's ability to function normally. The most common cause of heart disease is narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart itself. This happens slowly over time.
Some heart diseases can be present at birth (congenital heart diseases).
Other causes include the following:
- Abnormal function of the heart valves
- Abnormal electrical rhythm of the heart
- Weakening of the heart's pumping function caused by infection or toxins
Both men and women can lower their risk of heart disease by as much as 82 percent by leading a healthy lifestyle. That means following a heart healthy eating plan (Check out Cooking for Life, Volume 2, available in the Avera McKennan Foundation or at www.averamckennanfoundation.org), getting regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking.
Risk Factors
Some conditions as well as some lifestyle factors can put people at a higher risk for developing heart disease. In principle, all persons can take steps to lower their risk of heart disease and heart attack by address these risk factors. Control of risk factors is especially need by people who already have heart disease.
Warning Signs of a Heart Attack
If the blood supply to the heart muscle is cut off, a heart attack can result. Cells in the heart muscle do not receive enough oxygen and begin to die. The more time that passes without treatment to restore blood flow, the greater the damage to the heart. Having high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol, smoking, and having had a previous heart attack, stroke, or diabetes can increase a person's chances of having a heart attack.
According to the American Heart Association, about 700,000 Americans have an initial heart attack and another 500,000 have a recurrent heart attack each year. According to a CDC report, almost half of the cardiac deaths in 1999 occurred before emergency services and hospital treatment could be administered.
It is important to recognize the signs of a heart attack and to act immediately by calling 9–1–1. A person's chances of surviving a heart attack are increased if emergency treatment is given to the victim as soon as possible.
Women & Heart Disease
Although heart disease is sometimes thought of as a "man's disease," it is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States and women account for 51% of the total heart disease deaths.
Heart disease is often perceived as an "older woman's disease," and it is the leading cause of death among women aged 65 years and older. However, heart disease is the 3rd leading cause of death among women aged 25–44 years and the 2nd leading cause of death among women aged 45–64 years. Learn more >>
Source: Centers for Disease Control, http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/signs_symptoms.htm
Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Heart Disease
4770 Buford Hwy, NE
Atlanta, GA 30341-3717
http://www.cdc.gov/HeartDisease/index.htm
American Heart Association National Center
7272 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75231
(800) AHA-USA-1
www.americanheart.org
Mended Hearts
7272 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX 75231
(800) HEART99
www.mendedhearts.org
Call the toll-free number to find a Mended Hearts Chapter, or to receive educational brochures related to your condition -- just ask the Heart and Stroke Information Specialist for assistance in selecting the brochures.
The American College of Cardiology
Heart House
9111 Old Georgetown Road
Bethesda, MD 20814-1699
(800) 253-4636 ext. 694
(301) 897-5400
www.acc.org
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