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What You Need to Know About Heart
Disease
Heart disease is
often caused by atherosclerosis, or thickening and hardening
of the arteries. If an artery narrows too much, blood
carrying oxygen and nutrition to the heart muscle is
decreased or blocked. When there is not enough blood flowing
to the heart, you can feel chest pain. A heart attack may
occur if an artery closes all the way or narrows so much that
a blood clot blocks the blood flow.
Some risk factors for heart disease, such as advancing age,
gender and heredity, can't be controlled. But, says the
American Heart Association (AHA), you can control other
factors, including:
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High cholesterol. Cholesterol is a waxy substance
found in the body's cells. Two ways to lower your
cholesterol are to exercise regularly and eat a diet low
in saturated fat. Talk to your doctor if you have
questions about cholesterol.
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High blood pressure. Your heart must work harder
when your blood pressure is high. When this occurs for an
extended time, the heart may enlarge and arteries may
become scarred and hardened. You can treat it with changes
in your diet and lifestyle. Drug therapy is also
available. Talk to your doctor to see if such therapy
might be appropriate for you.
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Cigarette smoking. Smoking often promotes heart
disease by quickening the development of atherosclerosis,
reducing your HDL ("good") cholesterol and
raising your blood pressure.
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Physical inactivity. Lack of exercise is usually a
major risk factor for heart disease because inactivity can
contributes to higher cholesterol and obesity.
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Obesity. Your risk for heart disease may increase
if you're more than 30 percent overweight. Obesity can
raise cholesterol and can lead to diabetes, another risk
factor for heart disease.
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Alcohol. Having one or two alcoholic beverages
daily may reduce your risk for heart disease. Drinking
more than this can raise blood pressure and triglyceride
levels.
Preventing heart disease
You can reduce your risk for heart
disease and a heart attack by seeing your doctor for regular
checkups to evaluate your risk factors. If you have risk
factors, you and your doctor can work together to control
them.
The AHA recommends regular screening for your risk of heart
disease beginning at age 20. Screening usually includes
measuring blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference
and pulse every two years, and getting a cholesterol profile and
glucose testing every five years.
Your doctor may want you to have more frequent screenings or
visits if you have a family history of heart disease, diabetes,
high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Talk to your doctor if
you have questions about your screening schedule.
Signs of a heart attack
If you or someone you're with is
having a heart attack, call 911 or your emergency medical help
number.
The signs of a heart attack include:
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Pain, pressure or a squeezing in the middle of the chest
that lasts for two minutes or more
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Pain that spreads from the chest to the shoulders, neck,
jaw or arms
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Dizziness or faint feeling
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Nausea
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Difficulty breathing.
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