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Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular Diseases. Cardiovascular diseases are diseases of the heart and blood vessels. They are referred to as “lifestyle diseases”. Why is this so?

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Cardiovascular Diseases

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  1. Cardiovascular Diseases Cardiovascular diseases are diseases of the heart and blood vessels. They are referred to as “lifestyle diseases”. Why is this so? Answer: The lifestyle you choose and the habits you develop can either accelerate, prevent or delay the development of CV diseases. CV disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the United States.

  2. Types Of CV Diseases • An arrhythmia is a heart condition in which the heartbeat is abnormal and irregular. This can lead to a heart attack. • Atherosclerosis is a diseasein which fat deposits on artery walls. These fatty deposits may block the artery, leading to a heart attack. • Arteriosclerosis is a disease in which the artery walls harden and thicken, restricting blood flow. This may also lead to a heart attack.

  3. Types Of CV Diseases (cont.) 4. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a condition in which the pressure that the blood exerts on the artery walls is above normal for a sustained amount of time. 5. Angina pectoris is chest pain that results from narrowed or blocked blood vessels in the heart. This type of pain frequently precedes a heart attack.

  4. Types Of CV Diseases (cont.) 6. A myocardial infarction (MI) is the scientific name for a heart attack. When blood flow back to the heart is partially or completely blocked, part of the heart muscle dies, causing an MI. This can result in disability or death. 7. A stroke is a serious medical condition in which a blocked or broken blood vessel inside the brain bursts, causing hemorrhaging (bleeding). A stroke can result in paralysis or death.

  5. Types Of CV Diseases (cont.) 8. An aneurysm is a sac formed by local enlargement of the weakened wall of an artery, a vein, or the heart muscle itself. It is caused either by injury or disease.

  6. Preventing CV Diseases There are risk factors that you can control (smoking, obesity, hypertension, stress, diabetes, inactivity, and failing to get medical checkups) and risk factors that you cannot control (your age, heredity, and race).

  7. Preventing CV Diseases (cont.) Since you can’t control your heredity, it’s probably a good idea to obtain information about your family history. Were there any premature heart attacks (heart attack before age 55 in males or 65 in females)? Any other diseases present? Since the risk of CV disease increases with age, adults should receive regular medical checkups (a full checkup at least every two years is recommended).

  8. Preventing CV Diseases (cont.) Choose to stay tobacco-free! As early as 1964, the U.S. Surgeon General stated that smoking was the single greatest risk factor in the development of CV disease. The risk of a heart attack or stroke is 70% greater in a smoker than a nonsmoker! Practice your stress management skills. Find out what works for you. Peace-out

  9. Preventing CV Diseases (cont.) Choose a diet low in fat, simple sugars (that quickly become fat), and cholesterol. Include foods loaded with antioxidants (substances that protect cells from being damaged by oxidation). Carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, whole grain breads, and oranges are good sources.

  10. Preventing CV Diseases (cont.) Maintain your desirable weight. The heart must work harder to pump blood to body cells if a person is overweight. Being overweight also increases the risk for high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart attack, and diabetes.

  11. Preventing CV Diseases (cont.) Participate in regular physical activity. It helps you maintain your desirable weight, helps clear fat from the blood, reduces the effects of stress, lowers blood pressure, and improves mood. Regular aerobic exercise reduces the risk of CV diseases. Maintain normal blood pressure. Remember, high blood pressure places extra wear and tear on the heart muscle.

  12. Preventing CV Diseases (cont.) Have regular medical checkups… one probably could have saved my father’s life. Have blood work done. Get familiar with how to read the results of a blood test. What was your fasting blood sugar level? HDL & LDL cholesterol levels? Cholesterol ratio? Triglycerides? Iron? Electrolytes? In the medical industry, knowledge is power! Take charge of your health! Know your options!

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