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Heart disease is the #1 killer of
American men and women. But, it doesn't have to be. There are many steps
you can take to prevent and manage heart disease and live a long,
What is heart disease?
What causes heart disease?
What are the risk factors for heart disease?
What are the symptoms for heart disease?
What are the treatments for heart disease?
can I prevent heart disease?
Where can I buy home test kits for contributing factors of this
What is heart disease? (top)
The term heart disease is a general term that covers a number of
diseases, which affect the heart. This includes coronary artery disease
(the most common and the one discussed on this page),
congenital heart disease and heart valve disease.
Coronary heart disease is the buildup of
plaque on the inside of the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that
supply oxygen-rich blood to heart muscle.
heart disease? (top)
Many lifestyle factors contribute such as
cigarette smoking, alcohol intake, physical inactivity, and obesity.
Serum cholesterol and hypertension play a major role the formation of
What are the
risk factors for heart disease? (top)
There are two categories of risk factors for heart disease
those that can be changed and those that can't be changed.
Changeable risk factors:
Non-changeable risk factors:
Age, the older you get the greater your
Sex, men are at higher risk than women
Personal medical history
What are the symptoms
for heart disease? (top)
Personal medical history Each type of
heart disease has different symptoms, although many heart problems have
similar symptoms. The symptoms you experience depend on the type and
severity of your heart condition. Learn to recognize your symptoms and
the situations that cause them. Call your doctor if you begin to have
new symptoms or if they become more frequent or severe.
The most common symptom is angina. Angina
can be described as a discomfort, heaviness, pressure, aching, burning,
fullness, squeezing or painful feeling in your chest. It can be mistaken
for indigestion or heartburn. Angina is usually felt in the chest, but
may also be felt in the left shoulder, arms, neck, throat, jaw or back.
Other symptoms that can occur with
coronary artery disease include:
Heart attack symptoms include:
Discomfort, pressure, heaviness, or pain
in the chest, arm or below the breastbone
Discomfort radiating to the back, jaw,
throat or arm
Fullness, indigestion or choking feeling
(may feel like heartburn)
Sweating, nausea, vomiting or dizziness
Extreme weakness, anxiety or shortness of
breath Rapid or irregular heartbeats
During a heart attack, symptoms last 30
minutes or longer and are not relieved by rest or oral medications
(medications taken by mouth).
Some people have a heart attack without
having any symptoms (a "silent" MI). A silent MI can occur among all
people, though it occurs more often among diabetics.
If you think you are having a heart attack, DO NOT DELAY. Call for
emergency help (dial 911 in most areas). Quick treatment of a heart
attack is very important to lessen the amount of damage to your heart.
What are the
treatments for heart disease? (top)
Factors that affect the choice of
treatment in coronary artery disease include the severity of your chest
pain, the results of your tests, and your preferences. There are
medications, surgical and non-surgical options that your doctor should
discuss with you for your particular situation. A few of these options
Aspirin or other antiplatelet medications
- These drugs work in various ways to prevent the formation of
Beta-blockers - reduce the workload on
the heart by slowing the heart rate, which allows the heart to pump more
efficiently. A more rapid heart rate caused by exertion and excitement
increases the workload on the heart.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
inhibitors - lower your blood pressure and reduce the strain on the
heart. They may also reduce your risk of a future heart attack or
developing heart failure.
Statins - lower your blood cholesterol
and may reduce your risk of a future heart attack.
Nitrates (nitroglycerin and long-acting
nitrates) - relieve chest pain and other symptoms of angina.
Calcium channel blockers - slow your
heart rate and lower your blood pressure to reduce your heart's
workload. They also help dilate your coronary arteries and reduce
Coronary artery bypass surgery is done to
go around a portion of an artery that has been narrowed or blocked by
plaque buildup (atherosclerosis).
Transmyocardial Laser Revascularization
(TMR) uses a laser beam to improve blood flow to heart muscle. TMR often
relieves symptoms in people who are no longer good candidates for
surgery or angioplasty
Non Surgical Procedures:
Angioplasty - a procedure done to open a
partially blocked blood vessel so that blood can flow through it more
easily. It is most often done on arteries that deliver blood to the
heart (coronary arteries) when they are narrowed by plaque buildup
(atherosclerosis) or blood clots and is the most widely used method
within the United States.
Atherectomy - performed less frequently
than angioplasty and only at large medical centers. During atherectomy,
plaque is shaved away from the inside of the coronary arteries.
Atherectomy is done when angioplasty is not possible, because of the
location or the size of the plaque
How can I prevent heart
to buy home test kits for
contributing factors of this condition