subject: Heart Disease-information That Can Save Your Life [print this page] Heart disease is a silent killer that claims the life of thousands of American each year. Heart disease can lie dormant and undetected for years, and then strike suddenly in the form of stroke or heart attack. The main factor as to why heart disease is so out of control is based on the fact that many people are not fully aware of the significance or dangers of the condition. Here are some basic facts about heart disease.
Causes
There are many factors which can contribute to the development of heart disease. These include Diabetes, heredity, high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease. The good news is that even these causes can be controlled and the risk reduced with some basic lifestyle changes or preventative medications.
Symptoms
Heart disease does not traditionally have a set up "buildup" symptoms. The main factor that brings most people to their doctor is the presence of unexplained chest pain which seems to come and go. The pain often appears during times of extreme stress or emotional upheaval. It can be a very sharp pain that comes on fast and can disappear after the stressful situation has passed.
Diagnosis
There are many tools that your doctor may use to diagnose you as having heart disease the common of which are tests such as Electrocardiogram (ECG), Exercise stress test, and Echocardiogram. , as well as more experimental procedures which include test like nuclear scanning; Electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT).
Treatment
There are a great many option for treating heart disease, medications such as ACE inhibitors to lower blood pressure and protect your heart, Beta-blockers to lower heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen use by the heart, Calcium channel blockers to relax arteries, lowering blood pressure and reducing strain on the heart. Other medications which can be helpful to the treatment of heart disease and to help prevent further complications include Diuretics to lower blood pressure and treat congestive heart failure, nitrates (such as nitroglycerin) to stop chest pain and improve blood supply to the heart, and statins to bring down overall cholesterol levels other methods include surgery which can be performed in a wide variety of ways including Angioplasty and stent placement, called percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs), Coronary artery bypass surgery and Minimally invasive heart surgery. but the simplest method of treating and reversing some of the damage of heart disease are lifestyle changes which involve things such as Avoid or reduce the amount of salt (sodium) you eat Eating a heart healthy diet One of the best eating programs for those who are afflicted with heart disease is the Healthy Heart Diet, developed by the mayo clinic. Getting regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight are a vital part of the recovery for heart disease and will help in prevention of other factors. If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar under precise control. Stop smoking if you are, this will help to reduce the amount of strain ion your system by keeping the blood pressure low and reducing artery congestion.
A cause of heart attacks
Heart disease has been shown to be the leading cause of heart attacks among women and a primary cause among men over the age of 40. Heart disease can cause the tissues of the heart to weaken over time and sudden death heart attacks have been shown to be of greater occurrence for people who have heart disease then those who do not
Leading to Other Conditions
Heart disease can be an introducer to other cardiovascular disorders besides heart attack. Heart disease has been linked to stroke, peripheral artery disease and heart failure over a long term.
Prevention
Heart disease can easily be prevented by taking appropriate steps to reduce the presence of stress and tension in your life. Stop smoking if you have started and eat healthier. ensure that you are getting lots of exercise & if you have a history of certain conditions such as hypertension or diabetes in your family or have been diagnosed with these conditions then make sure that you are treating them appropriately.
Heart disease is preventable, treatable and survivable with appropriate action. Take the time to learn what you can do to reduce your risk. The steps you take today may save your life.
