Heart disease remains as one the leading causes of death in the world. Heart conditions and diseases of the blood circulation are too common that sometimes the signs and symptoms are hardly recognizable and often missed, when discovered may be too late.
How deadly is it?
American Heart Association (AHA) says that 34.3 percent of all deaths worldwide are caused by heart disease. What is more astonishing is that almost half of these deaths occur in adults that are under 65 years of age. On the lighter note, if heart disease is diagnosed early, it can be treated appropriately.
What are the risk factors?
AHA says the risk factors for heart disease are:
- Family history
- Old age
- Smoking and alcohol drinking
- High blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Obesity
- Diabetes
What causes heart disease?
- The most common cause is high blood pressure.
- Narrowing of the blood vessels or ischemia
- Infections
- Presence of congenital heart defects
What are the signs and symptoms?
Symptoms results from the narrowing of the vessels, disturbance in the contraction of the heart, obstruction to blood flow, or an abnormal cardiac rhythm. A person with heart disease may experience discomfort or weakness. He is fatigued or he tires easily. Low oxygenation can cause cyanosis or the bluish discoloration of skin. Other symptoms are loss of consciousness, low blood pressure, difficulty of breathing, pulmonary edema, palpitation and chest pain.
How is it treated?
If heart disease is caused by hypertension, a person is prescribed medications that can improve his blood circulation such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. If it results from the narrowing of the blood vessels, an angioplasty may be done or a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is performed. CABG is done to create another pathway to avoid the narrowed blood vessels. Surgical procedures are also recommended for congenital heart defects.
For those caused by underlying conditions such as diabetes and or high cholesterol, the treatment is concentrated on these conditions to prevent complications of heart disease.
How is heart disease prevented?
- Diet and lifestyle should be modified. This includes engaging in exercises or increasing your physical activity, quitting smoking and alcohol, and eating healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables and fish.
- Maintain a healthy weight to avoid obesity which is a risk factor.
- Manage stress.
- Regular monitoring of blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Know the warning signs and consult your physician when needed.
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