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Author: Kay Jurica

A 77-year-old gentleman with Parkinson’s disease (PD) has endured several cardiovascular events late in his life, including a heart attack and open-heart surgery that required stints. His cardiologist has predicted the man will not die of PD but will most likely pass as a result of congestive heart failure.

February is American Heart Month because the heart is one of our bodies' most important organs. After all, its involuntary actions keep each of us alive every day. This is why I wanted to share 10 facts about the heart and heart disease so we can all stay proactive about heart health.

Heart disease is also known as cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, or coronary artery disease. These terms refer to a condition called atherosclerosis which is characterized by the buildup of plaque in the heart’s arteries. This typically presents in the form of heart attack, stroke, arrhythmia, or heart valve problems.

“When individuals think about heart disease, they often think about blockages in the arteries. But the reality is, that it’s problems with muscle function, valve function, the lining of the heart, and the electrical system. It’s much broader than blockages, although that tends to be the most common presentation of heart disease,” says Northwestern Medicine Cardiologist Micah J. Eimer, MD.

Fortunately, many people have heeded the warnings from healthcare professionals and have had significant success in the prevention and treatment of heart disease for better heart health. According to Dr. Eimer, there has been a decline in the number of deaths due to heart disease or heart attack over the last several decades.

10 Facts About the Heart and Heart Disease

1. Heart Disease is the #1 killer in both men and women.
2. Heart disease claims a life in the United States every 37 seconds.
3. Every year, approximately 805,000 people in the U.S. have a heart attack.
4. About 1 in 5 heart attacks is silent – the person is not aware of the damage that has been done.
5. Symptoms include chest pain or discomfort, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath.
6. Even if you have no symptoms, you may still be at risk for heart disease.
7. Half of men who die suddenly of coronary heart disease did not have previous symptoms.
8. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for African American and white women in the U.S.
9. High blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking are key risk factors.
10. Nearly 7 in 10 people over age 65 who have diabetes will die of some type of heart disease.

Risk Factors

• Overweight and obesity
• Unhealthy diet
• Physical inactivity
• Excessive alcohol use
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Smoking

Heart Disease Prevention

There are ways to reduce these and other risks, like adopting a healthy diet and incorporating physical activity into your routine. The key is to find something you enjoy doing, like walking with friends.

Dr. Eimer says, ”People should be finding out if they have non-obstructive coronary disease. These are minor blockages that aren’t causing symptoms or detected by a stress test but can lead to heart attack in the future.” Your primary care provider or cardiologist may use a blood test or recommend a coronary calcium scan to better determine your risk.”

If you or a senior loved one has heart disease, high blood pressure, or is recovering from a heart attack or cardiovascular surgery, Home Helpers® Kankakee provides non-medical home care and support to help make their life easier. Our team of compassionate caregivers is highly trained and skilled to help with personal care, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, meal planning and preparation, 24-hour monitoring, 24-hour in-home care, and a variety of specialized care services, including stroke support and recovery, post-operative care, and recuperative care.

I am happy to offer a FREE Assessment at your convenience to discuss specific needs and create a customized care plan.

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Source:

Northwestern Medicine