Heart Diseases
Heart disease kills more people than all cancers combined in the U.S. Heart disease can take many forms - heart attack, coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, stroke and more. While heart disease statistics are grim, there are many steps you can take to prevent heart diseases.
The major heart disease risk factors (those factors that significantly raise your chance of developing heart disease) are age, gender, family history, smoking, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, physical inactivity, obesity or overweight, and diabetes.
Preventing heart disease involves the risk factors that you can do something about. Things you can do to reverse heart disease or reduce your risk of developing heart disease are stop smoking, use proper diet and exercise to get to a healthy weight, take steps to keep your blood pressure and blood cholesterol normal, be physically active every day and eat a heart healthy diet.
If you develop heart disease, many heart disease treatments are available. Continuing a healthy diet and exercise plan are important, but other treatments, such as medications for high blood pressure and high cholesterol may be necessary.
Some forms of heart disease do not have overt symptoms. High blood pressure and high blood cholesterol may go unnoticed for years. It is important for you and your doctor to monitor these levels regularly.
Other risk factors for heart disease and forms of heart disease do have symptoms and warning signs. Familiarizing yourself with these symptoms can help prevent further damage to your heart and cardiovascular system.
Warning signs of a heart attack include chest discomfort, discomfort in other areas of the upper body, shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea or lightheadedness. Heart attack signs may be different in women and may not include chest pains.
Warning Signs of a stroke include blurred vision, a crushing headache, feeling of numbness in the face, having trouble speaking, and an inability to follow what people say.
Symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, unusual weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability and blurry vision.
For more heart disease facts, symptoms of heart disease, heart disease prevention and treatment, visit the American Heart Association at http://www.americanheart.org.