1. Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death; over 600,000 Americans die from this condition annually, which amounts to one if every 4 deaths. Every 34 seconds, someone in the U.S. experiences a death related to heart disease. Around 720,000 people in the U.S. have heart attacks every year. 515,000 are a first heart attack while 205,000 occur in people who have already experienced at least one heart attack.
2. Although the death rates from heart disease are highest in the southern region and lowest in the western part of the U.S., it is the primary cause of death for the majority of people in most ethnic and racial groups, which include Hispanics, Whites, and African Americans. In Pacific Islanders, Native Americans, and Asian Americans, only cancer kills more people than heart disease.
3. Key risk factors for this disease include high LDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and a smoking habit. Approximately fifty percent of Americans can claim one of these three factors. half of Americans (49%) have at least one of these three risk factors. Other medical conditions, such as diabetes and alcoholism and poor lifestyle choices including being overweight or obese, doing little to no exercise, and having a poor diet also contribute to the risk of cardiovascular disease. African American women in particular are at a higher risk of having health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, which makes them more at risk for cardiovascular disease.
4. It is important to be aware of the symptoms and warning signals of heart attacks in order to prevent a death. However, many people who suffer from this disease do not know what the signs are; approximately 47 percent of sudden deaths due to cardiac problems happen outside a hospital, which indicates many people do take action when they experience a warning sigh. In a survey carried out in 2005, 92 percent stated chest pain as a signal of a heart attack, but only 27 percent could name all the major symptoms and would call 911 if someone was experiencing a heart attack.
5. There are several major warning signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Most people with this disease will experience some kind of chest pain or discomfort; this may extend to pain or discomfort in the upper bodies, back, neck, arms, jaw or even the upper stomach. Shortness of breath is another common symptom, and many will be affected by nausea, cold sweats, or become light headed.
What can you do to minimize your risk or prevent cardiovascular disease?
6. Get enough sleep. Most people need at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night; people who get six hours or less are twice as likely to get heart disease than those who have an adequate amount. Sleeping helps to regulate the activity of insulin; if you get too little sleep, cells will build a resistance to it and this will increase blood sugars. This in turn can influence heart disease as well as weight gain.
7. If you notice that you tend to snore in your sleep, this may be a sign of sleep apnea, which can boost the risk of having heart problems. A chronic condition that causes difficulty in breathing properly while sleeping, sleep apnea can also increase the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure in addition to heart attacks.
8. People who tend to gain weight in the stomach area can also be prone to heart problems. Men whose waistlines are more than 40 inches and women who measure more than 35 inches are at a greater risk of heart disease. Losing even 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can greatly improve your heart health, especially if you lose it around your waist. Exercise can help; 30 to 60 minutes of an aerobic workout three times a week can help make your heart stronger and cut down high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
9. Excessive drinking can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, but surprisingly, one drink a day can make your heart stronger. Beer has high amounts of vitamin B6; this helps prevent the accumulation of homocysteine, a chemical that contribute to heart disease. A glass of antioxidant-rich red wine can help guard the blood vessels in the heart and can help lower cholesterol
10. Aspirin can also help prevent a heart attack; it blocks certain chemicals that clot blood and helps the blood flow to the heart. Heart attacks occur when cholesterol plaques make it difficult for the blood to flow in blood vessels feeding the heart, so chewing 325 mg of aspirin can aid in eliminating the blockage and restoring blood flow.
11. Last but not least, laugh. Studies have shown that laughter can indeed be the best medicine for the heart. Your body reacts to laughing by decreasing levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. By having lower levels of cortisol and stress, blood pressure will decrease. Laughter also helps to improve our mood and boost the immune system. Many studies have indicated that people who suffer from depression are at twice the risk of having a heart attack.
12. In addition to laughter, having sexual activity on a regular basis reduces blood pressure and stress in general. Studies have shown that twice-weekly sex results in a substantial lowering of risk for heart disease in men.
13. Being aware of the signs, symptoms and risks of heart disease can help avoid cardiovascular disease; knowing how to reduce and prevent it can also help lower the possibility of experiencing this condition and increase heart health and happiness.