Cindy Heller asked:


One of the most widely recognized causes of premature death worldwide today is heart disease. Although this may sound very depressing, the reality is that the incidence of premature deaths caused by heart diseases has significantly declined in recent years. Although progress has been made in the treatment of heart related disease, additional effort needs to be made to prevent this illness as much as possible. Heart disease often takes a toll on the sufferer’s and his family’s lives. Treating heart related disease can also be very complicated, requiring specialized human resources, equipment and medication. The costs of such treatments are also very high. In summary, prevention is better than the cure. Let’s now review the other factors.

Who Are At Risk?

People who have a family history of heart related diseases are probably the most at risk. So, bear in mind that if hereditary heart disease is prevalent in your family it would probably be a wise step to discuss this aspect with your doctor and to have regular annual appointments with him to check for potential problems. Be assured that if you do this, your chances of circumventing heart related disease will be so much better.

Heart Disease Is A Leading Cause For Fatalities

Although more men are prone to heart disease than women, it is the most widely recognized cause of death in women. Strangely enough the observation that women live longer than men is also still true. Women therefore have to take certain measures to prevent the onset and development of heart diseases.

Recognition Of The Problem Often Occurs Too Late

Doctors and specialists today, armed with improved technologies, are able to diagnose and treat heart disease more comprehensively than ever in the past. Unfortunately, by the time most people realize that they are suffering from heart diseases, it would have escalated to an advanced stage that poses a treatment challenge for physicians. Often the onset of the illness only comes to light when the person has already been afflicted by a stroke or heart attack.

Of the many contributing factors of heart disease in people, smoking cigarettes is the most critical. Other factors such as elevated blood cholesterol levels as well as obesity, high blood pressure, sedentary lifestyles and diabetes heighten the incidence of heart diseases. The person who does not deny these risk factors will have a better understanding and chance of survival should he or she be afflicted by some form of heart related disease. Obviously it will mean making some necessary lifestyle changes.

Tremendous advances in medical technology have been made in many areas and also in terms of treatment protocols for sufferers of coronary heart disease. The development of drugs specifically designed to prevent heart attacks has increased and are readily available. Surgical techniques have advanced tremendously since the days of Dr. Chris Barnard and the first heart transplant. Both drug and surgery treatment protocols are designed for the elimination of heart problems and the restoration of proper heart function. The success of these developments is documented by the sharp decline of fatalities due to heart diseases.

Steps Forward In Dealing With Heart Disease

Many new preventive measures have been developed to reduce the problems associated with heart disease. In addition to the advances in medical treatment for people suffering from heart related disease, public awareness for these illnesses has increased dramatically. People are educating themselves with regards to the good benefits of a healthy lifestyle, staying away from smoking and drugs and working out to a cardiovascular exercise routine that is specifically designed to exercise the heart to make it stronger.

This statement by no means indicates that heart disease is not a serious threat, or that it can be circumvented with minor treatment programs. Not at all! Heart disease is a serious health condition the danger of which can never be underplayed. But it is interesting and important to realize that it is no longer the death threat that it was in years gone by.

Check Ups Can Prevent Heart Problems

Regular examinations by the doctor will not prevent heart disease from happening, but these examinations may have a significant impact on your heath if they are able to nip a heart problem in the bud before it becomes serious. This makes sense with regards to any illness. Detecting the disease early in its developmental stages can motivate the patient to obtain treatment as a matter of urgency. When treatment is received promptly, the higher the chances are to successfully treat the disease before it turns out to be life threatening. Because this is so important regular - at least annual - checkups are necessary for those who might be at risk for heart disease.

Anita

Healthbase asked:


Heart disease or cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is the leading cause of death in many countries including the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, is caused by our daily habits of what we do and what we do not do. Thus, it is very much up to us to improve our habits and our lifestyle to reduce the risk of developing heart ailments and maintain a healthy heart.
 
Read on to learn how your everyday habits can lead to heart conditions and how you can take active steps to minimize your risk factors.
 
1. Eating habit
What you eat and in how much quantity has a direct impact on the health of your body’s blood pumping mechanism. According to the Framingham Heart Study, a longitudinal study that has helped scientists understand the development and progression of heart disease and its risk factors since 1948, the higher your blood cholesterol level, the greater your risk for heart disease. Following a diet low in saturated fat reduces your cholesterol levels. One such diet program known as the Pritikin Program that focuses on unprocessed or minimally processed straight-from-nature foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, starchy vegetables, lean meat and seafood, has been found to be effective in preventing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and obesity. It is important not just to eat the right stuff but also to watch the amount of your intake. It is common knowledge that obesity increases the risk of heart disease so maintaining a healthy weight is very important to achieving a healthy heart. Read more about this at the Healthbase website.
 
2. Drinking habit
Although research has revealed an association between moderate alcohol consumption and lower risk for coronary heart disease (CHD), experts believe that drinking more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day increases a person’s risk for high blood pressure, a risk factor for heart disease. It should also be kept in mind that moderate drinking is not risk free. Alcohol consumption can lead to several other chronic illnesses like cancer, liver cirrhosis, and trauma.
 
3. Smoking habit
Cigarette smokers have a higher risk of developing several chronic disorders including fatty buildups in arteries called atherosclerosis, which is a leading cause of death from smoking. Many studies have shown that cigarette smoking is a major cause of coronary heart disease, which leads to heart attack. Studies also show that cigarette smoking is an important risk factor for stroke. Women who take oral contraceptives and smoke increase their risk of stroke many times. Smoking also creates a higher risk for peripheral arterial disease and aortic aneurysm. Also, about 22,700 to 69,600 premature deaths from heart and blood vessel disease are caused by other people’s smoke each year. So, by smoking you harm not only yourself but also your innocent neighbors.
 
4. Exercising habit
A sedentary lifestyle with complete physical inactivity is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke and is linked to cardiovascular mortality. Regular physical activity helps control blood lipid abnormalities, diabetes and obesity. Aerobic exercises such as brisk walking, jogging, skipping rope, bicycling and dancing can help reduce blood pressure and are good for your heart when done regularly for 30 minutes or longer every day or on most days. Even moderately intense physical activity such as walking for pleasure, gardening and yard work are beneficial for the heart when done regularly on a daily basis.
 
5. Behavioral habit
Anger and uncontrolled stress can lead to high blood pressure which in turn increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease and stroke. Anger and stress management techniques can be helpful in reducing your stress level and, therefore, your risk factor for heart disease. Some examples of reducing your stress level are practicing yoga, meditation and laughter therapy.
 
Prevention is much better and much less expensive than cure. Cardiac treatments like CABG (coronary artery bypass graft), cardiac valve repair, cardiac valve replacement, bypass surgery, double bypass surgery, triple bypass surgery, quadruple bypass surgery, heart transplant, and so on can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars.
 
It takes discipline and perseverance to incorporate changes into your daily habits but it is not impossible to do so. So talk to your physician today about how to change your habits and your lifestyle for a healthier heart.

Kathleen

Cindy Heller asked:


Heart disease is a disorder, which affect the proper functioning of the heart. Child heart disease is common affecting many newborn and older children. This article examines the various child heart diseases and their treatment.

Congenital Heart Disease

Heart disease is a serious ailment and often leads to premature death. Many children can also suffer from heart disease. Child heart disease is actually quite a common worldwide. When a child is born with an existing defect in the heart, it is called congenital heart disease. Congenital heart disease is fairly. It affects almost one percent of all newborn.

Often, the first diagnosis of child heart disease is made during routine examination when the pediatrician detects heart murmur. Heart murmur is the noise that the blood makes as it flows through the heart. Heart murmurs are fairly common in children. It is not necessarily a sign of child heart disease.

If a heart murmur is due to a problem in a child’s heart, it is caused either by a hole in the heart, a leaky heart valve, or constricted heart valve. To confirm the diagnosis, an examination by a pediatric cardiologist is necessary. Pediatric specializes in child heart disease.

Abnormalities of the heart may or may not be noticeable at birth. For example, a hole in the heart wall will allows blood to travel from one side to the other. In such case, the baby may have blue lips or fingers. This is one of the signs of child heart disease.

Another example of child heart disease is an abnormal heart valve, which allow blood to flow in the opposite direction. Such a problem will usually require surgery once the child is older.

Congenital heart disease must be treated promptly or it will lead to more serious complications. Hence, early detection is important. Unfortunately, many heart defects are not detected at birth resulting in more damage to the heart and requiring more extensive treatment.

Some forms of congenital heart disease are actually self-healing. However, in many cases, major surgery will be required to rectify the problems.

While there are risks associated with surgery, the chances of full recovery and a normal life are very high. So the situation is not hopeless.

Connection between Premature Infants and Heart Disease

A baby is considered premature if born before 37 weeks. Most premature babies are born with some form of heart problem. A premature infant’s organs are also not fully developed, and thus require special care in a nursery or intensive care unit while their organ systems continue growth.

Although there is no sure way to avoid premature labor, one of the most important preventive measures to receive proper prenatal care. Statistics show that proper prenatal care greatly reduces the odds of premature birth and related deaths.

The pregnant mother should also maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat a diet that is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, keep well hydrated and have at least 30 minutes of exercise each day.

Hereditary Heart Disease

Hereditary heart disease refers to heart disease, which is passed down through genes. It is not preventable. If one has a history of heart disease in the family then one is at risk of hereditary heart disease.

The risk is greater when first-degree relatives, such as your mother, father, brother, sister and so on, have heart disease.

In rare cases, high cholesterol level runs in the family. This is called familial hypercholesterolaemia. It is a genetic problem, which results in exceptionally high level of cholesterol. As a result, there is a high of heart disease.

Hereditary heart disease is caused by various factors. Sometimes, it is merely a pattern of heart disease rather than true hereditary heart disease. These are actually avoidable. For example, the family lifestyle such as poor diet, lack of exercise and smoking. All of these factors contribute to heart disease and can be the start of the chain of hereditary heart disease. In such cases, changing these risk factors will reduce the likelihood of heart disease. This means eating a proper well-balanced diet, getting plenty of exercise, as well as avoids smoking and excessive drinking.

By living a healthy lifestyle, it is possible to reduce the risk of developing heart disease, even if one’s genes are predispose to heart disease.

Vernon

Verlyn Ross asked:


This article is written to take some of the mystery (and hopefully, some of the fear) from the words, “heart disease.”

Although there are many different types of heart disease when someone mentions the words “heart disease” most people think of coronary heart disease first. Coronary heart disease is a “narrowing of the arteries that lead to the heart” however it is important to stress that coronary heart disease is only one form of heart disease.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the most common types of heart disease. In fact, it is the number one cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Heart disease affects both the structure of the heart and the functioning of it or sometimes both. A number of conditions fall under the category of heart disease and these include coronary heart disease (which takes into account heart attacks), heart failure, heart valve disease, abnormal heart rhythms (or arrhythmias), congenital heart disease, pericardial disease, aorta disease and Marfan syndrome, heart muscle disease (or cardiomyopathy), and vascular disease (blood vessel disease).

Coronary artery disease (or abbreviated to CAD) is another name for atherosclerosis or simply hardening of the arteries. It is the arteries that make it possible for nutrients and oxygen to make it to the heart. This is also one of the more common types of heart disease.

The average heart beats 60 to 100 times per minute in a steady even manner. This works out to be approximately 100,000 each and every day. However for reasons unknown to the medical community, sometimes the heart falls out of rhythm. This leads to an abnormal heartbeat or an irregular heartbeat, which is known as arrhythmia. Also known as a dysrhythmia, in this cause a change takes place to the rhythm of the heart, which can lead to a heartbeat that is too fast, too slow or uneven in how it beats. This is one of the more unusual types of heart disease.

The term “heart failure” is somewhat misleading. Heart failure does not mean that the heart has failed or that it has ceased to work properly. Instead it means that the pumping action of the heart is not as good as it should be. Heart failure affects an average of five million Americans every year and is the number one cause of hospitalization for individuals over the age of 65.

The heart has four chambers and heart valves lie at the exit of each one and allow one-way blood flow to make its way through the heart. Heart valve disease takes place when there is a problem with any one of these heart valves. Some examples of heart valve disease include aortic stenosis, mitral valve insufficiency and mitral valve prolapse.

Congenital heart disease is a problem that occurs before a baby is born and is a defect in the way the heart is structured or else in the structure of the blood vessels. Congenital heart disease sometimes does not show itself until a person is a child and in some cases, until they become an adult. Congenital heart defects affect an average of 8 out of every 1,000 babies born on an annual basis.

Cardiomyopathies are diseases that occur to affect the muscle of the heart. Generally this includes heart muscles that are enlarged or else have become stiff or thickened over a period of time. Heart muscle disease makes it difficult for the heart to adequately pump blood. If it is left untreated, a cardiomyopathy will get worse as time progresses and can very often lead to both heart failure as well as abnormal heart rhythms.

Pericarditis is a condition that involves the lining of the heart becoming inflamed. This is one of the more unusual types of heart disease. This condition is actually rather rare and is most often caused by one type of infection or another.

The aorta is the biggest artery in the heart and a number of conditions can cause it to either tear or to widen (or dilate). Thee include the genetic condition known as Marfan Syndrome, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, connective tissue disorders and injury. This is one of the types of heart disease that is somewhat rare.

Ramon

Benh asked:


Relationship of hypertension and heart disease.

Georgia

mike f asked:


I just saw on CNN this morning a cardiologist saying that fish oil supplements are basically useless, that only the actual food source provides the benefits of decreasing stroke and heart disease? Is this so?
I always understood that the omega-3 fatty acids are what provide these benefits, which are included in both the fish oils supplements and obviously the fish themselves….

Jesse

trixi asked:


im 22 yeard old. i was born with a heart disease. i had open heart surgery when i was 18. if i go to a tanning bed will it hurt me. if so how would it hurt me.

Bessie

David Cowley asked:


For many heart patients finding a way for reversing heart disease is a dream while for others it may be a goal, which they believe may someday be available. When many professionals talks about reversing heart diseases they may be referring to the possibility of halting, or at least slowing the progression of the disease. Many cardiologists state that reversing damage done to the heart is not within the scope of today’s medicine and that many surgical techniques can repair damaged blood vessels and even the heart valves, but are dubious about the use of natural medications to reverse any damage already done by heart disease.

Many heart experts claim that once a heart is broke, it is nearly impossible to fix. Valves can be replaced and vessel repaired but there is no known way to allow the body to heal on its own, as far as heart disease is concerned. Many claims of reversing heart disease focus on the effects of a person’s lifestyle and diet has the future of their heart health.

For years the medical community has a drawn a direct correlation between a person’s diet and heart disease. Add to that a lack of exercise and the stage is set for a heart attack. However, some medical professionals dispute the diet-heart connection as being total and point to many other ways of reversing heart disease than a vegetarian lifestyle.

Focus On Overall Individual Health.

While disputes continued over the relationship of diet and heart disease, everyone agrees that eating nutritious meals instead of nutrition-empty calories will have a beneficial effect on reversing heart disease. Exercise is also important as studies have repeatedly shown a connection between a healthy heart and a person’s weight.

When a person is significantly overweight, the heart has to work harder and while under stress may simply give up, causing a heart attack. An overweight person can begin reversing heart disease by losing weight to a level that matches their height and body type. Eating healthy, balanced meals to achieve weight loss is much better for reversing heart problems than crash dieting that can starve the body of vitamins and minerals needed for health.

Lifestyle changes including eating right and exercising can go a long way towards reversing heart diseases, but once the heart muscle is damaged, there is no known way to heal it on its own. Heart transplants have been successful, but replacing the heart is in no way part of reversing heart diseases.

Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with diseases of the heart such as Vitamin E, Potassium and Phytosterols.

Vitamin E may have a role in reducing the risk of lung cancer, according to researchers at the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health. It supplies oxygen to the heart and other muscles of the body and aids in the functioning of the immune system.

Potassium may help prevent high blood pressure and protect against artherosclerosis and reduce the risk of stroke.

Phytosterols is found in flax seed and peanuts, which are suggested to help lower serum cholesterol.

Derek

Tania Hackner asked:


Generally, women ignore the problem of heart disease, as it is considered to be more common in men. However, women also suffer from heart disease and are required to take adequate care of their heart. If women pay a little attention to their health then heart disease in women can be easily prevent themselves from this health risk. Also it will make early diagnosis possible, giving the advantage to cure it well in time.

According to a survey the ratio of heart diseases is more with men than women. But it does not mean that heart disease in women do not affect their life. It is a fact the percentage of patience dying on account of this health risk is more in women than men. It generally happens because women are not aware that they are having this health condition.

Causes:

Increasing use of cigarettes smoking, obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure are the common causes giving boost to heart disease in women. For keeping themselves from any hazard it is important for women to keep away from smoking, drinking, loose weight, physical inactivity and unhealthy eating habits. Apart from this, many other risk factors such as age, heredity, menopause and even genetic causes increase the chances of heart disease in women. By making some changes in their lifestyle women can lead to a long and healthy life with any risk of heart disease.

Here are explained some common symptoms of heart attack In women:

Shortness of breath: When you are suffering some chest pain then at the same time you may also feel shortness of breath. According to reports of survey the chances to die from heart disease are more in women undergoing shortness of breath.

Chest pain:You can see women talking about chest pain but they just don’t take it seriously. They take it as pressure, ache or tightness. But often women might not undergo severe pain during heart attack. So, it is important that women should not ignore it for saving themselves from heart diseases.

Common problems: Nausea, vomiting, indigestion, dizziness and weakness can be symptoms of heart disease in women. Hence women should pay proper attention to them and talk to their health care providers as soon as possible.

However, women can save themselves from heart disease very easily by including some habits in their routine. Women should take care of themselves, exercise regularly, nutritional diet, quitting smoking and reduce stress. It can not only save them from heart disease but also many other diseases. By creating a general awareness about heart disease, women can resolve the issue to a great extent.

Harvey

James Peterson asked:


A million of Americans suffer everyday from some or the other form of heart disease. These diseases include heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, angina, cardiovascular disease, congenital heart defects and many more.

American women heart disease- Men as well as women in America are affected by this American heart disease. It is believed that cancer is a threat for most of the women, but that is not the fact. 70% of women in America die due to the heart diseases. The American Heart Association has listed out some of the risk factors for the women that lead to heart disease. As women grow older, the risk of stroke and heart disease also rises substantially. Sometimes, the stroke may be the result of hereditary. They are prone to develop a stroke if their close blood relatives suffer from it. Race is also a greatest factor. Black women are more prone to it as compared to white women. Those who have has a previous attack are at a higher risk to face an attack again shortly the next time.

Other than this, there are also other factors, responsible for American women heart disease. Women who are smoking tobacco, physically inactive, obese, and overweight are also prone to hear disease. Along with these diabetes milletus, excessive intake of alcohol, high levels of triglyceride, depression, etc. are also major cause of increased rate of heart disease. The American women needs to change their life style up to some extent like quit smoking habits, control their blood sugar levels, cholesterol and blood pressure, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, have a low-fat diet, be aware of chest pain, take care of their diabetes and keep a record of the family history.

American men heart disease- men are also prone to incidences of heart disease like women. The causes are risk factors are similar to men as well as women. It is said that men having high risk of coronary heart diseases can include soy proteins to their diets. This decreases the possibilities of developing world’s biggest killer disease.

Kid’s heart disease- you might wonder that a disease so thrilling and defective one in older people, can kids get affected to it? The answer to this question is yes. Usually, the symptoms of blood vessel problems and heart are not seen in the kids. But you can develop healthy habits to your kids to minimize the chances to get affected by it. So what can be done? The first and fore most advice is not to smoke at all, and take care to see that your kid eats healthy, exercises regularly and maintains a healthy weight. The heart and the blood vessels will praise you later for this.

American heart disease rate- The heart disease rate is very high in America. It varies by region and educational level in America. However, these rates are declining slowly from the year 1994 due to the advancements in scientific technologies.

Elmer