Cardiovascular Health

Cardiovascular diseases are our nation's number 1 killer. To urge Americans to join the battle against these diseases, since 1963 Congress has required the president to proclaim February "American Heart Month." 

Some 7 million Americans suffer from coronary heart disease (CHD), the most common form of heart disease. This type of heart disease is caused by a narrowing of the coronary arteries that feed the heart.

Each year, more than 500,000 Americans die of heart attacks caused by CHD. 
Many of these deaths could be prevented because CHD is related to certain aspects of lifestyle. Risk factors for CHD include high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity--all of which can be controlled. Although medical treatments for heart disease have come a long way, controlling risk factors remains the key to preventing illness and death from CHD.

What is Coronary Heart Disease?

Like any muscle, the heart needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients that are carried to it by the blood in the coronary arteries. When the coronary arteries become narrowed or clogged and cannot supply enough blood to the heart, the result is CHD. If not enough oxygen-carrying blood reaches the heart, the heart may respond with pain called angina. The pain is usually felt in the chest or sometimes in the left arm and shoulder. (However, the same inadequate blood supply may cause no symptoms, a condition called silent angina.)

When the blood supply is cut off completely, the result is a heart attack. The part of the heart that does not receive oxygen begins to die, and some of the heart muscle may be permanently damaged.

Who is at risk for Coronary Heart Disease?

Risk factors are conditions that increase your risk of developing heart disease. Some can be changed and some cannot. Although these factors each increase the risk of CHD, they do not describe all the causes of coronary heart disease; even with none of these risk factors, you might still develop CHD. 

Controllable Risk Factors

• High blood pressure
• High blood cholesterol
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Diabetes
• Stress*

Uncontrollable Risk Factors

• Gender
• Heredity (family history of CHD)
• Age

* Although stress may be a risk factor for CHD, scientists still do not know exactly how stress might be involved in heart disease. 

It's Not Just a Man's Disease

Heart disease is far and away the leading cause of death of American women, but you can do a lot to help protect yourself from it. Read this section for some important advice.

What can you do to reduce your risk of heart disease?

In general, you can do two things to help reduce your personal risk (and the risk of loved ones). First, get preventive care. Check your blood pressure and cholesterol and, if necessary, follow your health care practitioner’s advice to control those important medical risk factors.

Second, live a healthy lifestyle. Take control of the “controllable risk factors.” Even if you can’t do it all at once, take one step to get control. Don’t be discouraged if you have to modify several habits. Start with one and gain some momentum. Your health care practitioner at VMG can help you make these choices and point you to additional resources to help you take steps to reduce your risk.

Here are some things you can do to help yourself (or loved one):

• Talk to your health care provider about heart disease and your personal risk factors.
• Have your blood pressure checked - even if you’re feeling fine.
• Have a blood test for cholesterol and lipids.
• If your health care practitioner recommends medication to help control blood pressure, cholesterol, or other medical risk factors, take you medicine exactly as prescribed and keep your follow-up appointments to check your progress and get advice.
• Modify at least one of the controllable risk factors to decrease your risk of CHD.
• Go for a walk. Swimming, cycling, jogging, skiing, aerobic dancing, walking or any of dozens of other activities can help your heart. Whether it is a structured exercise program or just part of your daily routine, all exercise adds up to a healthier heart.
• Eat more carrot sticks and less French fries. Better food habits can help you reduce your risk for heart attack. A healthful eating plan means choosing the right foods to eat and preparing foods in a healthy way.
• Encourage family members, relatives and friends to make a healthy life change.
• Learn lifesaving CPR.
• Check out resources to help you control your risk of CHD. Take advantage of local nutrition, exercise and smoking cessation resources.

MORE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEART:

www.americanheart.org

American Heart Month

Learn to Save a Life During American Heart Month

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The number for the American Heart Association is 1-800-242-8721