Heart Disease Symptoms
Heart disease can be described as a very broad term, which includes a wide range of conditions that affect the heart. There are quite a few different health problems, which are considered a part of heart diseases, some of which include coronary artery disease, arrhythmias (problems with the rhythm of the heart), congenital heart problems (heart conditions that people are born with) and infections in the heart. In most cases heart diseases are quite serious and require immediate medical attentions. Therefore, it is absolutely essential to consult a doctor, as soon as any of the heart disease symptoms in men and women become evident. Fortunately, it is possible to prevent heart disease symptoms in women and men, with the help of certain lifestyle choices.
Heart disease symptoms in women are not the same as those seen in case of men. Most health articles and programs only focus on the heart disease symptoms in men, which can be quite dangerous for women, as many of them to do recognize the symptoms they are experiencing. Some of the heart disease symptoms in women include a burning sensation and tenderness in the back, arm, shoulders and jaw. Unlike the heart disease symptoms in men, many women do not experience discomfort in the chest, even if they are suffering from heart diseases.
Coronary heart disease can be described as a narrowing of the small blood vessels, which transfer blood and oxygen to the heart and the other different organs of the body. At times, coronary heart disease symptoms may be noticed immediately, but there are numerous people who do not experience any of the signs at all. Nevertheless, some of the most common coronary heart disease symptoms experienced by men and women include chest pain (typical and atypical), shortness of breath and fatigue. Many people realize that they have coronary heart problems, after they suffer a heart attack.
Hypertensive heart disease refers to a heart complication, which arises from high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. Some of the most common hypertensive heart disease symptoms experienced by people include shortness of breath, irregular pulse, rapid heartbeat, frequent urge to urinate, coughing with frothy (or bloody) mucus, swelling in the feet or ankles, palpitations, increase in the need to sleep, dizziness, weakness and fatigue.
Causes of Heart Disease
What are the causes of heart disease?
The causes of heart diseases in people may vary, based on the type of disease. For example, the most common causes of cardiovascular diseases may be different from the causes of arrhythmia. Given below are some of the most common causes of heart disease (cardiovascular):
- Excess stress, tension or anxiety
- Following an unhealthy diet, which includes foods that are high in fat and cholesterol
- Leading a sedentary lifestyle or lack of adequate activity
- Unhealthy habits like consumption of excessive alcohol or smoking
- Very hectic lifestyle, with inadequate amounts of sleep or rest
Given below are some of the leading causes of heart disease like heart arrhythmia:
- Congenital heart problems or the heart defects people are born with
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and coronary artery diseases
- Consumption of excess caffeine
- Stress
- Unhealthy habits like smoking
- Use of certain medicines, supplements and herbal remedies
- Valvular heart diseases
It is believed that men are at a higher risk of heart diseases as compared to women. However, the risk of suffering from heart problems increases in women as they grow older. One of the leading causes of heart disease in women is the blockage or the narrowing of the blood vessels or the coronary arteries, supplying blood and oxygen to the heart. The effects of heart disease in women can be as severe as the effects in men.
Heart Disease Treatment
Heart disease prevention is much better and perhaps even easier than heart disease cure and therefore, most health experts advise people to take the right precautionary steps as early as possible.
Heart disease treatment options are bound to vary, based on the type of heart disease a person is suffering from. It is common for doctors to prescribe medication. If necessary, health care providers may advise the patient to go in for a surgery too. In case the heart defect is too serious, then a heart transplant may be necessary. Coronary heart disease treatment too includes medicines such as aspirin, beta blockers, cholesterol modifying medication, nitroglycerin, calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors. Many patients may be required to undergo an angioplasty or a coronary artery bypass surgery.
Alternative heart disease treatment, which include stress reduction techniques, a healthy diet, regular exercise and healthy lifestyle habits are also very effective in controlling the problems.
Heart Disease Statistics
Coronary Heart Disease Statistics
It is believed that around every 34 seconds, one person in the US dies due to coronary heart problems. Studies on heart disease facts and figures also indicate that each day, there are around 2,500 people living in the United States that die of heart diseases. Heart disease facts also indicate that every 20 seconds, a person in the US suffers a heart attack. People who are not have adequate knowledge about the causes and treatment of heart attacks are a lot more likely to suffer from attacks and around 250,000 people die because of heart attacks, before they can reach the hospital.
Obesity and Heart Disease Statistics
Obesity is one of the main causes of heart diseases as well as many other health problems. Around 70% of all the cases of cardiovascular diseases are related to obesity in people. Moreover, around 60% of all morbidly overweight people are suffering from some form of heart diseases.
Women and Heart Disease Statistics
Heart disease facts show that heart diseases are the number one cause of death in American women. Around 33% of the women living in the US die of heart diseases. Out of the women who die of sudden heart attacks, more than 70% experienced no prior symptoms.
Heart Disease Facts
Heart Disease Facts and Statistics
It is a well-known fact that heart diseases are the leading cause for death in the United States. More than 25% of all the deaths in the United States are a result of heart diseases. Every year, more than 750,000 Americans suffer their first heart attack. More than 450,000 Americans experience another heart attack.
Women and Heart Disease Facts
Throughout the world, there are more than 8.5 million women that lose their lives because of heart diseases. Data shows that heart problems are responsible for more than one third of all the deaths in women. There are around 8 million women in the United States alone, suffering from heart diseases and out of them, more than 35,000 are below the age of 65. Heart attacks in women under the age of 50 are twice as likely to be fatal, as compared to men.
Heart Disease Facts for Kids
Contrary to what many people believe, children too can suffer from heart diseases. Therefore, it is important for parents to ensure that proper heart care begins at an early age. Hence, it is best for children to follow a diet that is low in fat and oil. At the same time, they should also get an adequate amount of rest and exercise each day.
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