February is a huge month with respect to cardiac health and heart disease. As one of us is going to be a cardiologist of course we had to talk about heart disease this month on our podcast. In this episode we discuss heart disease in general, give you some statistics, talk about risk factors, symptoms and prevention. This is a broad topic so if you want to listen now you can do so by CLICKING HERE.
♡ Statistics
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States
The numbers are even more gruesome when you hear that heart disease accounts for about 1 in 4 deaths
The most common type of heart disease is CAD and CAD is responsible for causing a heart attack
♡ Things to Note
CAD (coronary artery disease) affects the blood flow to the heart leading to decreased blood flow and when there is not enough blood flow to the heart that can cause ischemia. Ischemia is lack of oxygen supply to the tissue in this case the heart leading to a heart attack.
♡ Risk Factors
The top three include:
Hypertension or elevated blood pressure
High cholesterol
Tobacco use
Other Risk Factors:
Diabetes
Obesity/Overweight
Unhealthy diet
Physical inactivity
Excessive alcohol use
♡ Symptoms
Sometimes you may not have ANY symptoms of heart disease. Other times symptoms may show up at the moment you are experiencing a heart attack, an arrhythmia or acute decompensated heart failure. So naturally the symptoms will vary with the cause.
Symptoms of a heart attack can include:
Chest pain or pressure
Discomfort or tightness
Associated upper back or neck pain
Heartburn or indigestion
Nausea or vomiting
Extreme fatigue or tiredness
Dizziness
Shortness of breath
Upper body discomfort without localization
Symptoms of an arrhythmia include:
Palpitations - heart is beating out of your chest or a flutter-like sensation.
Symptoms of heart failure include:
Shortness of breath
Lower extremity swelling (i.e.: feet, ankles, legs)
Tiredness or fatigue
Distended neck veins
♡ Prevention
Eating healthy
Avoid foods that are high in saturated fat and trans fat
Eat more high fiber foods
Limit salt intake and sugar in your diet
Limit alcohol intake
Men: no more than 2 drinks per day
Women: no more than 1 drink per day
Keep a healthy weight by exercising and sustain regular physical activity
Adults: 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise which includes brisk walking or bicycling every week
Quit smoking
♡ Treatment
Something important to mention is Cardiac Rehab this is a program that occurs for anyone who is recovering from a heart attack, heart surgery or heart failure. This program is underused but is extremely important and something we hope to continue to improve as well as utilize for our patients.
In this program you get educated about healthy living where they assist you in modifying your risk factors like eating well, quitting smoking, taking medications appropriately, staying physically active, counseling to help with stress and mental health, among others. It is a multidisciplinary approach requiring many members of the healthcare team to be involved!
♡ Secret Tips
Be sure to lead the healthy lifestyle we always talk about
Alleviate stress
See your physician and get regular check ups, even when you feel great
That's all for this week, don't forget to leave us feedback, rate, review, subscribe and send in your questions so we can continue to improve as well as, provide you high quality content.
Disclaimer: The Content on our podcast/website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
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