Chronic Heart Disease
It is estimated that approximately 7% of the population has some form of heart disease or damage to their heart. Most people associate heart disease with arteriosclerosis, which leads to heart attacks. However, there are other forms of heart disease, which are just as deadly. Knowing the facts about arteriosclerosis as well as the other primary forms of heart disease can enable you to recognize the symptoms both in yourself and loved ones. And early recognition is one of the most important factors in surviving heart disease.
Arteriosclerosis is the most common type of heart disease. This disease is characterized by a hardening of the arteries, including the coronary arteries, which surround and nourish the heart. Many believe that this process begins early in life. It is so common that it is found present in over half of Americans at death. Though the exact process is unknown, it is understood that the build up of plaque in blood vessels eventually causes the arteries to harden. Thus, the plaque seems to be the precipitating factor. Luckily, this can be controlled through a proper diet and regularly exercise. Eventually the build up is enough that the blood flow becomes seriously constricted. When this happens, the result may be a myocardial infarction, which we commonly call a heart attack. Another possible result of this same problem is when the fatty deposits form a clot that eventually cuts off the blood supply to the heart or some other vital part of the body. These two possibilities amount to the most frequent cause of death for the average American.
Cardiomyopathy is the next most common form of heart disease. This disease takes the form of impaired function of the heart itself. What has happened is that somehow the heart has been damaged and weakened to such an extent that the pumping action is impaired and in the process of compensating the muscle grows larger and larger. As the damage increases the danger of clotting and cardiac arrhythmia increases as well. Cardiomyopathy often results in damage to the heart’s electrical system and is the primary factor in later developing arrhythmias. Many patients with Cardiomyopathy are the prime candidates for heart transplants, which has a chance of saving their lives.
The final form of heart disease is when damage takes place on or near the heart valves themselves. This damage is usually a result of a congenital defect or an infection. Often it is a strep throat infection, which untreated, leads to rheumatic fever and eventually direct damage to the heart valves. Rheumatic fever has been well controlled in the United States but it is still responsible for approximately 7000 deaths per year. As far as congenital defects, it is estimated that only a portion of the 25,000 babies born yearly with heart defects have damage to the heart valves. One known cause is when the mother contracts German measles during late term pregnancy.
Regardless of the type of heart problem encountered it is helpful to know the common warning signs for a heart attack. They are: - A feeling of pain or slight pressure to the chest or a crushing sensation behind the breastbone. This may radiate to the shoulder, arm or legs. - The feeling usually lasts for a length of time. - OTC medication or rest does not reduce the pain though it will respond to a narcotic drug. - The face often turns ashen gray and a cold sweat develops. Often this is accompanied by nausea and shortness of breath. - Retching, belching or vomiting may occur which is often confused with indigestion.
IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE EXPERIENCES THESE SYMPTOMS GET TO A DOCTOR!
About the Author
Ray Kelly is an Exercise Scientist with 15 years experience in the health and fitness industry. Sign up for his Free Exercise and Meal Planner at The Biggest Loser or http://www.free-online-health.com
DO WOMEN REALLY NEED TO WORRY ABOUT HEART DISEASE?
Coronary heart disease is a disease of the heart?s blood vessels that causes heart attacks. Heart disease is the number one killer of American women, claiming more female lives than the next 16 causes of death combined.
Post-reproductive age women are most at risk. However, pre-menopausal women are also at risk for cardiovascular disease if they have cardiac risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, diabetes, elevated cholesterol and family history of premature cardiovascular disease.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE HEART DISEASE?
Cardiovascular disease can be silent but usually has symptoms. Lack of blood flow to the heart muscle can cause symptoms of chest discomfort, shortness of breath, fatigue and sometimes palpitations and dizziness.
Talking to your doctor about your symptoms, along with good routine follow-up care are necessary first steps to determine if any further evaluation is necessary. Many cardiac risk factors can be controlled, modified or eliminated, including hypertension, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, smoking and obesity/physical inactivity.
Women show different signs than men do prior to a heart attack. Nearly 90% of women with a heart attack will have chest pain the same as men. Historically, however, chest pain has not been perceived to be of great prognostic value in women or a great clue that heart disease is really present.
Chest pain can have different origins and women can experience uncharacteristic features of cardiac chest discomfort. The likelihood of chest pain coming from the heart depends to a great extent on the person’s particular cardiac risk profile.
For example, a pre-menopausal woman who smokes is as likely to have cardiac chest pain as a postmenopausal woman with hypertension. All chest discomfort in women must be taken seriously and evaluated for its source, whether cardiac or otherwise. One should not wait to seek medical attention if there are symptoms of chest discomfort with or without physical exertion.
Some studies have shown that women who tell their doctors about chest pain are not treated as aggressively as are men. Women who are not satisfied with a physician?s evaluation of their chest discomfort should be persistent and seek another opinion.
WHAT ARE PVCs AND ARE THEY DANGEROUS?
A woman’s system changes as she enters menopause and can result in PVCs (premature ventricular contractions). A woman who experiences irregular heart beats or *PVCs* may have extra beats that are relatively harmless or it may be a sign of some form of heart disease.
If a woman has palpitations (the sensation of fast and/or irregular heartbeat) or other symptoms such as dizziness or shortness of breath, she should inform her doctor. Your doctor can take a careful history and perform a physical exam.
In some cases, further testing of your heart may be necessary to determine the specific heart rhythm that may be causing the sensation of palpitations. In some individuals, caffeine products, alcohol and stress can provoke extra beats.
Menopause alone does not predispose a woman to palpitations unless she has other medical conditions or cardiac risk factors that could lead to heart disease. However, menopause creates an estrogen-deficient state that poses a risk to the cardiovascular system. This is because estrogens have a number of properties that protect the blood vessels and lowers LDL-cholesterol levels, while raising the HDL-cholesterol.
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST FACTORS THAT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES FOR HEART DISEASE?
The three biggest risk factors for cardiovascular disease that you can do something about are:
*Cigarette smoking
*High blood pressure
*High blood cholesterol
Other risk factors:
*Diabetes, or high blood sugar, is a serious disorder that raises the risk of coronary heart disease. The risk of death from heart disease is about three times higher in women with diabetes.
*Diabetic women also are more apt to have high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol.
*The risk of heart attack or stroke is higher for women who both smoke and use high-dose birth control pills (oral contraceptives).
*Excess body weight in women is linked with coronary heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, and death from heart-related causes. The more overweight you are, the higher your risk is for heart disease and many other ailments and diseases.
*Studies show that physical inactivity is a risk factor for heart disease. Heart disease is almost twice as likely to develop in inactive people as in those more active.
Just one risk factor will raise your chances of having heart-related problems. The more risk factors you have, the more likely you are to develop cardiovascular diseases.
HOW CAN YOU REDUCE YOUR RISK OF HEART DISEASE?
General recommendations to avoid heart disease:
*Quit smoking
*Cut back on foods high in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol
*Check blood pressure and cholesterol levels
*Get more exercise
*Lose weight if you are overweight
Regular physical activity can help you reduce your risk of coronary heart disease. Being active helps women take off extra pounds, helps to control blood pressure, lessens a diabetic’s need for insulin, and boosts the level of *good* HDL-cholesterol.
CAN DIET AND EXERCISE REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Following a low fat, low cholesterol diet, and regular exercise plan are excellent health habits for all to follow. They help lower blood lipid analysis, blood pressure and blood sugar. These are all factors that contribute to the development of arteriosclerosis (hardening and blockage of the blood vessels).
Physically active women have an approximately 75% lower risk of heart disease than sedentary women. Being physically active does not necessarily mean an aggressive exercise regimen. It can be simple activities like daily walking, climbing stairs, gardening etc. Unfortunately, however, over 50% of all women in the U.S. are physically inactive.
Chris Chenoweth writes articles pertaining to diet and nutrition, health issues, and online business. If you would like information that will help you get started on a healthy diet and exercise program, learn about one of the most effective exercise and weight loss systems available, the BURN THE FAT program.
Tags: Heart Disease
