What is Heart Disease? - Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease is usually caused by a condition called atherosclerosis, which occurs when fatty material and a substance called plaque build up on the walls of your arteries. This causes them to get narrow. As the coronary arteries narrow, blood flow to the heart can slow down or stop. This can cause chest pain (stable angina), shortness of breath, heart attack, and other symptoms.
Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for men and women.
Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for men and women.
Many things increase your risk for heart disease:
Men in their 40s have a higher risk of CHD than women. But as women get older (especially after they reach menopause), their risk increases to almost equal that of a man's risk. See: Heart disease and women
Bad genes (heredity) can increase your risk. You are more likely to develop the condition if someone in your family has had a history of heart disease -- especially if they had it before age 50. Your risk for CHD goes up the older you get.
Diabetes is a strong risk factor for heart disease.
High blood pressure increases your risk of coronary artery disease and heart failure.
Abnormal cholesterol levels: your LDL ("bad") cholesterol should be as low as possible, and your HDL ("good") cholesterol should be as high as possible.
Metabolic syndrome refers to high triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, excess body fat around the waist, and increased insulin levels. People with this group of problems have an increased chance of getting heart disease.
Smokers have a much higher risk of heart disease than nonsmokers.
Chronic kidney disease can increase your risk.
Already having atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries in another part of your body (examples are stroke and abdominal aortic aneurysm) increases your risk of having coronary heart disease.
Other risk factors including alcohol abuse, not getting enough exercise, and excessive amounts of stress.
Higher-than-normal levels of inflammation-related substances, such as C-reactive protein and fibrinogen are being studied as possible indicators of an increased risk for heart disease.
Increased levels of a chemical called homocysteine, an amino acid, are also linked to an increased risk of a heart attack.
Men in their 40s have a higher risk of CHD than women. But as women get older (especially after they reach menopause), their risk increases to almost equal that of a man's risk. See: Heart disease and women
Bad genes (heredity) can increase your risk. You are more likely to develop the condition if someone in your family has had a history of heart disease -- especially if they had it before age 50. Your risk for CHD goes up the older you get.
Diabetes is a strong risk factor for heart disease.
High blood pressure increases your risk of coronary artery disease and heart failure.
Abnormal cholesterol levels: your LDL ("bad") cholesterol should be as low as possible, and your HDL ("good") cholesterol should be as high as possible.
Metabolic syndrome refers to high triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, excess body fat around the waist, and increased insulin levels. People with this group of problems have an increased chance of getting heart disease.
Smokers have a much higher risk of heart disease than nonsmokers.
Chronic kidney disease can increase your risk.
Already having atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries in another part of your body (examples are stroke and abdominal aortic aneurysm) increases your risk of having coronary heart disease.
Other risk factors including alcohol abuse, not getting enough exercise, and excessive amounts of stress.
Higher-than-normal levels of inflammation-related substances, such as C-reactive protein and fibrinogen are being studied as possible indicators of an increased risk for heart disease.
Increased levels of a chemical called homocysteine, an amino acid, are also linked to an increased risk of a heart attack.
Tests & diagnosis
Many tests help diagnose CHD. Usually, your doctor will order more than one test before making a definite diagnosis.
Tests may include:
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Exercise stress test
Echocardiogram
Nuclear scan
Electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT) to look for calcium in the lining of the arteries -- the more calcium
Many tests help diagnose CHD. Usually, your doctor will order more than one test before making a definite diagnosis.
Tests may include:
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Exercise stress test
Echocardiogram
Nuclear scan
Electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT) to look for calcium in the lining of the arteries -- the more calcium
Prevention
See your health care provider regularly.
Tips for preventing CHD or lowering your risk of the disease:
Avoid or reduce stress as best as you can.
Don't smoke.
Eat well-balanced meals that are low in fat and cholesterol and include several daily servings of fruits and vegetables.
Get regular exercise. If your weight is considered normal, get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. If you are overweight or obese, experts say you should get 60 - 90 minutes of exercise every day.
Keep your blood pressure below 130/80 mmHg if you have diabetes or chronic kidney disease, and below 140/90 otherwise
Keep your cholesterol and blood sugar under control.
Moderate amounts of alcohol (one glass a day for women, two for men) may reduce your risk of cardiovascular problems. However, drinking larger amounts does more harm than good.
If you have one or more risk factors for coronary heart disease, talk to your doctor about possibly taking an aspirin a day to help prevent a heart attack or stroke. You may be prescribed low-dose aspirin therapy if the benefit is likely to outweigh the risk of gastrointestinal side effects.
New guidelines no longer recommend hormone replacement therapy, vitamins E or C, antioxidants, or folic acid to prevent heart disease. The use of hormone replacement therapy in women who are close to menopause or who have finished menopause is controversial at this time.
See your health care provider regularly.
Tips for preventing CHD or lowering your risk of the disease:
Avoid or reduce stress as best as you can.
Don't smoke.
Eat well-balanced meals that are low in fat and cholesterol and include several daily servings of fruits and vegetables.
Get regular exercise. If your weight is considered normal, get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. If you are overweight or obese, experts say you should get 60 - 90 minutes of exercise every day.
Keep your blood pressure below 130/80 mmHg if you have diabetes or chronic kidney disease, and below 140/90 otherwise
Keep your cholesterol and blood sugar under control.
Moderate amounts of alcohol (one glass a day for women, two for men) may reduce your risk of cardiovascular problems. However, drinking larger amounts does more harm than good.
If you have one or more risk factors for coronary heart disease, talk to your doctor about possibly taking an aspirin a day to help prevent a heart attack or stroke. You may be prescribed low-dose aspirin therapy if the benefit is likely to outweigh the risk of gastrointestinal side effects.
New guidelines no longer recommend hormone replacement therapy, vitamins E or C, antioxidants, or folic acid to prevent heart disease. The use of hormone replacement therapy in women who are close to menopause or who have finished menopause is controversial at this time.
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1 comment:
this would effect the way your body keeps cotrol of its heart rate and also its way to control blood pressure and flow to other parts of your body.
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