What Is Heart Disease?
When most people consider heart disease, they tend to think specifically of coronary artery disease, a narrowing of the arteries leading to the heart. It’s no wonder – coronary
artery disease is the single largest killer of American adults, causing roughly 1.5 million heart attacks each year (about one every 26 seconds).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one-third of those suffering
Even more troubling, another 250,000 people with heart attacks will succumb before they
And yet, as deadly as coronary artery disease may be, it is just one of a number of serious conditions known collectively as cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD includes dysfunctional conditions of the heart, arteries, and veins that supply oxygen to vital lifesustaining areas of the body like the brain, the heart itself, and other vital organs. A lack of oxygen causes the tissue or organ to die.
The American Heart Association states that CVD claims more lives each year than the next 5 leading causes of death combined, which are cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, accidents, diabetes mellitus, and influenza and pneumonia.
The
Compare that with the estimate for cancer. If all forms of cancer were eliminated, the gain would be only three years.
(U.S. Decennial Life Tables for 1989-91, Vol. 1, No. 4, Sept. 1999).
Some Common Forms Of Cardiovascular Disease
Ischemic Heart Disease (and Stroke)
Obstruction of the blood vessels caused by excess deposits of cholesterol-laden fat (arteriosclerosis) or plaque (atherosclerosis). Depending on where in the body it occurs, the obstruction can restrict oxygen flow, resulting in heart attack or stroke.
High Blood Pressure(Hypertension)
Nearly one in four
Arrhythmia
An abnormal rhythm or rate of heartbeat caused by a disturbance in the electrical nerve impulses of the heart. The most common cause of arrhythmia is arteriosclerosis, as a result of inadequate blood supply to the heart muscle. Arrhythmias occur more frequently after a heart attack. They can cause palpitations, faintness and dizziness, and can even initiate a heart attack.
Diabetes
Although not a cardiovascular disease itself, type II (adult onset) diabetics are two to four times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease.
High Cholesterol
There are both 'good' (HDL) and 'bad' (LDL) forms of cholesterol. LDL cholesterol becomes dangerous when it oxidizes in the body. The resulting lipid peroxides adhere to the walls of arteries in the form of atherosclerotic plaques.
CVD Is Not Just An American Disease Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of mortality worldwide.
> 38% of all deaths in
> 27.5% of all deaths in the
World Health Organization statistics inform us that:
> 17 million people around the globe die of CVD each
> 600 million people worldwide suffer from high blood pressure
What Are The Risk Factors For Heart Disease?
There are several risk factors for heart disease; some are controllable through changes in diet, exercise, and behavior. Other risk factors are uncontrollable. These include:
Male Sex
CVD used to be thought of as a "male disease." Although it afflicts more men on a percentage basis, women are catching up. CVD is now the number one killer of women, responsible for more deaths than the next seven causes combined.
Older Age
Those over 65 have an increased risk, yet CVD is the number one killer of all adults over 35.
Family History of Heart Disease
Genetics plays a large part in the risk for CVD.
Post Menopausal Women
After menses cease, women no longer have the heart-protective benefit of reproductive hormones.
Race
Those of African or Latin descent are more likely to have heart disease than are Caucasians.
Still, there are many risk factors that can be controlled. By making changes in your lifestyle, you can actually reduce your risk for heart disease. Controllable risk factors include:
Quitting Smoking
The use of tobacco is the most preventable major risk factor for CVD. Smokers have more than twice the risk for heart attack as nonsmokers, and are much more likely to die if they suffer a heart attack.
Improving Cholesterol Levels
The risk for heart disease increases as your total amount of cholesterol increases. A total cholesterol level over 200, an HDL (‘good’) cholesterol level under 40, or an LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol level over 160 indicates an increased risk for heart disease. A diet high in fiber and low in saturated and trans-fats will lower cholesterol levels and reduce your risk for heart disease.
Controlling High Blood Pressure
According to the
