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Men and Heart Attacks

5/29/2012

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When you think of heart disease in men, usually people think of coronary artery disease (narrowing of the arteries leading to the heart), but coronary artery disease is just one type of heart disease.

Cardiovascular disease includes a number of conditions affecting the structures or function of the heart. They can include:

·         Coronary artery disease (including heart attacks)
·         Abnormal heart rhythms or arrhythmias
·         Heart failure
·         Heart valve disease
·         Congenital heart disease
·         Heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy)
·         Pericardial disease
·         Aorta disease and Marfan syndrome
·         Vascular disease (blood vessel disease)

If you have heart disease, a heart-healthy diet begins by paying close attention to what you eat. You can reduce your chance of developing atherosclerosis, the blocked arteries that cause heart disease, with a heart-healthy diet. If the artery-clogging process has already begun, you can slow the rate at which it progresses. While this is very important for everyone at risk for atherosclerosis, it is even more important if you have had a heart attack or a procedure to restore blood flow.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. It is important to learn about your heart to help prevent heart disease. And, if you have heart disease, you can live a healthier, more active life by learning about your disease and treatments and by becoming an active participant in your care.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is atherosclerosis, or hardening, of the arteries that provide vital oxygen and nutrients to the heart.

The heart is an amazing organ. It beats in a steady, even rhythm; about 60 to 100 times each minute (that's about 100,000 times each day!). However, sometimes your heart gets out of rhythm. An irregular or abnormal heartbeat is called an arrhythmia. An arrhythmia (also called a dysrhythmia) can involve a change in the rhythm, producing an uneven heartbeat, or a change in the rate, causing a very slow or very fast heartbeat.

The term "heart failure" can be frightening. It does not mean the heart has "failed" or stopped working. It means the heart does not pump as well as it should.  Heart failure is a major health problem in the U.S., affecting nearly five million Americans. About 550,000 people are diagnosed with heart failure each year. It is the leading cause of hospitalization in people older than sixty-five.

Your heart valves lie at the exit of each of your four heart chambers and maintain one-way blood-flow through your heart.  Examples of heart valve disease include mitral valve prolapse, aortic stenosis, and mitral valve insufficiency.

Congenital heart disease is a type of defect in one or more structures of the heart or blood vessels that occur before birth. It affects about 8 out of every 1,000 children. Congenital heart defects may produce symptoms at birth, during childhood, and sometimes not until adulthood.

In most cases scientists don't know why they occur. Heredity and genetics may play a role as well as exposure to the fetus during pregnancy to certain viral infections, alcohol, or drugs.

Cardiomyopathies, also called an enlarged heart, are diseases of the heart muscle itself. People with cardiomyopathies have hearts that are abnormally enlarged, thickened, and/or stiffened. As a result, the heart's ability to pump blood is weakened. Without treatment, cardiomyopathies worsen over time and often lead to heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms.

Pericarditis is inflammation of the lining that surrounds the heart. It is a rare condition often caused by an infection.

The aorta is the large artery that leaves the heart and provides oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. These diseases and conditions can cause the aorta to dilate (widen) or dissect (tear), increasing the risk for future life-threatening events:

·       Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
·       Hypertension (high blood pressure).
·     Genetic conditions, such as Marfan Syndrome, which causes the aorta to be weakened as it leaves the heart. This can lead to an aneurysm or ripping (dissection) of the aorta. Both can be repaired with surgery if caught early.
·         Connective tissue disorders (that affect the strength of the blood vessel walls) such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, scleroderma, osteogenesis imperfecta, polycystic kidney disease, and Turner's syndrome.
·         Injury.

People with aortic disease should be treated by an experienced team of heart specialists and surgeons.

Your circulatory system is the system of blood vessels that carry blood to every part of your body.  Vascular disease includes any condition that affects your circulatory system. These include diseases of the arteries and blood flow to the brain.

Information provided by Inland Heart Doctors



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Tips for a Healthy Heart

3/25/2012

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Stop Smoking- This is one of the most important changes you can make to improve your health and prolong your life. Smokers are twice as likely to have a myocardial infarction, or heart attack, than non-smokers. The good news is that once you stop smoking, your risk begins to decrease.
Exercise Regularly- Exercising 30 minutes most days of the week will improve your overall health, as well as your cardiovascular health. Women who exercise regularly reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease 30 to 40 percent. Additional benefits include improving your quality of life, helping to maintain a healthy weight, reducing cholesterol levels, and demonstrate to children the importance of being active.

Reduce Salt Intake- Approximately 90 percent of Americans are eating more than the recommended amount of salt every day. Too much sodium increases the risk of high blood pressure, which leads to heart disease and stroke. Surprisingly, most of the salt we eat is not from the shaker on the table, but from processed foods, such as breads, pastas and processed meats. By eating foods that are less processed and closer to the source, we can both decrease our salt intake and improve the overall quality of the foods we eat.

Eat Heart-Healthy- A healthy diet is one of the best ways to prevent cardiovascular disease. Ensuring that your diet is low in fat, cholesterol and salt and rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains decrease your risk of heart disease. Decreasing sources of saturated and trans-fats in your diet is a big step in making your diet heart healthy. Major sources of these cholesterol-raising fats include red meat, dairy products, fried foods and packaged snacks. By avoiding these sources and adding at least five servings of fruit and vegetables, your diet will be a building block in your goal of heart health. Unfortunately though, a recent study found that more than 90 percent of Americans fail to consistently eat a heart-healthy diet. These poor eating habits increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and obesity.

Weight Management- Maintaining a healthy weight throughout adulthood decreases the risk from cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol and diabetes. This is especially important in the US today, as 2/3 of the US population is overweight. A Body Mass Index (BMI) >25 is directly associated with an increase with many risk factors of heart disease, including increased cholesterol and diabetes.

Limit Alcohol Intake- Excess alcohol intake can damage the heart muscle, increase blood pressure and lead to weight gain. If you do drink alcohol, do so in moderation-limiting intake to 1-2 drinks per day.

Get Regular Check-Ups- Regular visits to your primary-care physician can help control blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood sugar. Chronic, untreated high blood pressure can lead to an increased risk of both stroke and heart attack and a shortened life expectancy. High levels of cholesterol can lead to an increase in fatty deposits in the blood vessels that supply your heart, which can result in a myocardial infarction. Obesity and dietary insufficiencies can increase the risk of Type II diabetes, which is a risk factor.

Decrease Stress- While the connection between stress and heart disease is unclear, it is clear that chronic stress leads to an increased likelihood of unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as smoking, drinking and eating an unhealthy diet. By decreasing stress in your life, you will increase the quality of your life and may decrease your risk of heart disease.

Know the Warning Signs of a Heart Attack-A heart attack is a medical emergency where every second counts. The sooner a heart attack is recognized; the sooner medical attention can be sought. Today, heart-attack victims can benefit from new medications that can be given as soon as a heart attack is identified. The sooner these medications are given, the greater the benefit. The most common symptoms of a heart attack are chest discomfort, discomfort in other areas of the upper body, shortness of breath and sweating or nausea. For women, these symptoms may differ. One in three women will not experience chest pain while having a heart attack. Nearly three-fourths of women experience flu-like symptoms in the weeks leading up to a heart attack. The greater the awareness of the signs of a heart attack, the sooner medical attention can be sought.

Educate Your Loved Ones About Heart Health-Not only can you decrease your risk factors for heart disease, you can help your loved ones decrease their risk. By incorporating exercise and a healthy diet into your family’s lives, you can keep your heart healthy.

For more tips and information visit: www.CardioSmart.org

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    For more tips and information visit: www.CardioSmart.org

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