What do you know about heart disease?

The term heart disease refers to several types of diseases related to an unhealthy heart.  Some are congenital (people are born with heart problems), but a majority of heart diseases develop over the course of time and affect people later in life, many that can be prevented.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in the United States, responsible for 840,768 deaths (635,260 cardiac) in 2016. From 2006 to 2016, the US death rate from CVD decreased by 18.6% and from coronary heart disease by 31.8%.

• 116.4 million, or 46% of US adults are estimated to have hypertension. These are findings related to the new 2017 Hypertension Clinical Practice Guidelines.
• On average, someone dies of CVD every 38 seconds. About 2,303 deaths from CVD each day, based on 2016 data.
• On average, someone dies of a stroke every 3.70 minutes. About 389.4 deaths from stroke each day, based on 2016 data.

What is the difference between them?

Coronary heart disease

Coronary heart disease is the most common type of ischemic heart disease and it occurs when the arteries of the heart cannot deliver enough oxygen-rich blood to the heart.

Is caused by the buildup of plaque (a waxy substance usually caused by a diet high in fat, cigarette smoking, diabetes or hypertension), inside the coronary arteries. This buildup can partially or totally block blood flow in the large arteries of the heart and brain.

Because many people have no symptoms, they do not know they have ischemic heart disease until they experience complications such as a heart attack, sudden cardiac arrest or stroke.

Heart failure

It is a condition caused by the heart’s inability to pump enough blood to meet the requirements of oxygen for the rest of the body.

The left or right side of the heart might be affected. Coronary artery disease or high blood pressure can, over time, leave the heart too stiff or weak to fill and pump properly.

See a doctor if you notice any of these symptoms:

-Swelling in feet, ankles, and legs, called “edema”.

-Fluid build-up in the lungs, called “pulmonary congestion”.

Stroke

A stroke happens when a blood vessel that feeds the brain gets blocked or bursts. Then that part of the brain can’t work and neither can the part of the body controls. Major risk factors for stroke include:

• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Heart disease
• Atrial fibrillation (abnormal heart rhythm)

F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember how to recognize a stroke and what to do. Spot a stroke FAST.

Face drooping. Arm weakness. Speech difficulty. Time to call 9-1-1.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure also known as hypertension, is when the blood pressure, the force of blood flowing through the vessels, is constantly too high. Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure. Most of the time, it does not have an identifiable cause but there are some well-known risk factors.

Know the symptoms

Heart disease shows with a different array of symptoms and sometimes it might look like lungs or gastrointestinal problems. It is important to identify the symptoms that suggest a heart problem.

About 47% of sudden cardiac deaths occur outside a hospital, suggesting that many people with heart disease ignore the early warning signs. For many people, chest pain is the first sign. Other heart disease symptoms include:

• Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
• Unexplained nausea or cold sweat.
• Fatigue

Are you at risk?

There are risk factors for heart disease that can increase the probability of having heart disease:

• Genetics and past family history
• Age: older age increases risk
• Cigarette smoking
• Eating a poor diet high in fat and cholesterol.
• Physical inactivity and obesity.
• High blood pressure without control.
• Men are more likely to get high blood pressure than women (until age 65).

How to take care of your heart?

Heart disease can be prevented by making healthy decisions and having good health control.

• Eating a healthy diet.
• Getting physical activity at least 30 mins per day.
• Quitting smoking and other forms of tobacco.
• Controlling other medical conditions, such as diabetes or high cholesterol.

If I suffered a stroke, how do I live healthy ever after?

A stroke can change a life in a second. Early recovery and rehabilitation can improve functions and sometimes remarkable recoveries for someone who suffered a stroke. The most important part is to prevent a second stroke. Each stroke has its unique risk of factors, therefore is important to know the underlying causes of the first one. Some factors –including sex, age, race – are unchangeable but some lifestyles choices can be managed.

Making lifestyle choices have an impact on having a healthier life.

• Don’t smoke or use other forms of tobacco.
• If possible, do a physical activity spread throughout the week.
• Reach and maintain a healthy weight
• Eat a heart-healthy diet with fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy products.
• Limit alcohol intake to two drinks a day for men.

How can we help improve your cardiovascular health…

At  MD Medical Group we care about your cardiovascular health

It is important to get routine medical care and to take all medicines regularly, as your doctor prescribes. Do not change the amount of your medicine or skip a dose unless your doctor tells you to. Talk to your doctor about how often you should schedule office visits and blood tests.

We have the following laboratories that will help us to know more about your cardiovascular health

Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Glucose Exam
Hemoglobin A1C
Urine Analysis
Lipid Panel
Body Mass Index

To better understand your personalized risk for heart disease or to discuss your symptoms, request an appointment in any of our clinics.

• Learn what makes a diet healthy and the lifestyles changes you can make to lower the risk for heart disease.
• If you are diabetic, get the medication and medical advice you need.
• Ask your doctor about how to stop smoking.
• Know what your blood pressure is and how to get better control of it.

If you have already been diagnosed with ischemic heart disease, it is important that you continue your treatment plan. Get regular follow-up care to control your condition and prevent complications.