Here’s To A Healthy Heart (4pg)

Here’s To A Healthy Heart.

Now’s The Right Time To Raise Your Awareness About Heart Disease

February is National Heart Month. That’s the reason HealthPoint is devoting this issue to the topic of heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming the lives of almost one million Americans each year.

What is Heart Disease?

According to Hospital’s Dr. First Last, “Heart disease is the narrowing or blockage of the arteries or veins that provide oxygen and blood to the heart and body tissue.”

There are several different types of heart disease.

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is one of the most common types, is often called the “Silent Killer” because it can go undetected for years.

Atherosclerosis is the buildup of cholesterol and calcium deposits (plaques) inside the lining of the arteries, causing less blood to flow through the arteries and less oxygen to reach body tissues.

Coronary artery disease occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become hardened and narrowed. This can cause angina, usually experienced as a pressing or squeezing pain, often in the chest, but sometimes in the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw or back. If an artery is severely or completely blocked, then a heart attack can occur. Reduced blood flow to the heart may also cause abnormal changes in the heartbeats, called arrhythmias. It can also cause heart failure, which occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the body’s organs.

How To Be Heart Smart

There are millions of unsuspecting “healthy” people who are at high risk for heart disease because they have undiagnosed risk factors. The first step in the fight against heart disease is to have an annual physical with your primary care physician and have your blood pressure checked. Discuss with your physician the Risk Factors for heart disease and how you can put together a plan of action to reduce your risk.

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