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Heart Disease
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Heart disease is usually caused by atherosclerosis, which is a build up of fatty deposits (plaques) on the inner walls of the blood vessels. If left untreated, the blood vessels become narrow or even blocked, which interferes with the supply of blood throughout the body.[4] Heart disease is preventable. [5] Heart disease is very common. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Heart disease is the biggest killer of men and women in the developed world. According to the British Heart Foundation it kills over 125,000 people a year in the UK. Heart disease is a lifelong condition—once you get it, you'll always have it. True, procedures such as bypass surgery and angioplasty can help blood and oxygen flow to the heart more easily.[8]
Heart disease is a major complication of lupus and is now a leading cause of death among people living with autoimmune disease. Individuals with lupus are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), which involves hardening of the arteries and can lead to heart attacks or strokes later in life.[9] Start by briskly clicking here. [11] Start by adding more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your diet. Take a brisk walk on your lunch break or take the stairs instead of the elevator. Blood pressure should be checked at regular intervals (as recommended by your health care provider) to monitor the condition. Frequent blood pressure measurements performed at home are often recommended for patients who have difficult-to-control high blood pressure.[14] Blood is pumped through the chambers, aided by four heart valves. The valves open and close to let the blood flow in only one direction.[15] Blood that has traveled through the body returns to the heart and is pumped into the lungs, where it absorbs oxygen. Oxygen-rich blood returns from the lungs, enters the heart, and then is pumped through the aortic valve into the main artery of the body (aorta) and smaller arteries that travel to the head, arms, abdomen, and legs.[16]
Risk was not associated with dose or duration of use of estrogen and did not persist after oral contraceptives were discontinued. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease in other minority groups are still being studied. [18] Risk factors for cardiovascular disease in other minority groups are still being studied. [19] Risk factors for CHD can be divided between those that are modifiable and those that are not. Modifiable risk factors include high blood pressure, elevated blood cholesterol, cigarette smoking, and physical inactivity, diabetes, obesity, dietary factors and environmental tobacco smoke.[20] Cardiovascular disease is now affecting younger generations due to unhealthy lifestyles and causes 30 to 40% of all premature deaths. Recent studies have highlighted the mounting human and economic cost of heart disease, calculated to be 192 billion Euros per year (1).[21] Cardiovascular disease is a group of problems that occur when the heart and blood vessels aren't working the way they should. [22] Atherosclerosis, or Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), is the leading cause of death in both men and women. The majority of men and women currently have, or are actively developing, atherosclerosis.[24] Atherosclerosis is the underlying disease process of coronary heart disease and stroke. It is a slow, progressive process in which the innermost layer of the artery wall becomes damaged, due to factors such as elevated levels of cholesterol and triglyceride in the blood, high blood pressure and the use of tobacco products.[25] Congenital heart disease is responsible for more deaths in the first year of life than any other birth defects. Many of these defects need to be followed carefully.[26] Congenital heart disease is, by definition, present at birth although its effects may not be obvious immediately. In some cases, such as coarctation of the aorta , it may not present itself for many years and a few lesions such as a small ventricular septal defect (VSD ) may never cause any problems and are compatible with normal physical activity and a normal life span.[27] Congenital heart disease is treated with drugs and/or surgery. Diuretics may be prescribed, which aid the baby in excreting water and salts, as well as digoxin, which strengthens the contraction of the heart, slows the heartbeat, and removes fluid from tissues.[28] Congenital heart disease is not as common as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, or some of the other problems discussed today. It does affect 1 percent of all newborns, sometimes in a very mild form. Women who are (or think they might be) pregnant should notify their physicians before receiving prescriptions for medications. Women with manic-depressive disorder should consult their physicians about the risks and benefits of various treatments for this condition during pregnancy.[31] Women need to be aware of their risk for different diseases. We need continued public education, as well as improved understanding among health care providers, about how diseases such as heart disease and lung cancer affect women, Marts cautioned.[32] Women are poorly represented in cardiac rehabilitation research. [33] Women of the same age, on average, have a 13% chance of developing heart disease over ten years. The risk is only 8% over ten years if no other risk factors are present.[34] Women of any age can fall, but the risk increases as you get older. The majority of falls occur in the home, so common-sense safety measures, such as avoiding throw rugs and installing handrails, can reduce the risk substantially. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are major risk factors for heart disease. The same measures that help prevent or control these conditions will also reduce your risk for heart disease.[36] Diabetes Forecast, a monthly magazine, and Diabetes, a quarterly newsletter, are available. There are membership fees and costs for some publications.[37] Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, lack of exercise, and smoking all put women at risk for heart disease. Studies have shown that African Americans don't get the same care for heart disease as whites because they don't get the same tests and treatments. Diabetes , hyperlipidemia, and other conditions that increase the risk of heart disease should be carefully controlled. [39] Several population studies show that the loss of natural estrogen as women age may contribute to a higher risk of heart disease after menopause. If menopause is caused by surgery to remove the uterus and ovaries, the risk rises sharply.[42] Several hundred years ago we did NOT have the burden of toxic metals in our bodies that we now do, and we also did not have the exposure to free radicals. Both toxic metals and increased numbers of free radicals are modern scourges on our planet.[43] Reducing the amount of alcohol you drink and avoiding cigarettes can also reduce your risks of high blood pressure and help in your heart disease prevention efforts. Reducing the amount of saturated fat in your diet helps prevent high cholesterol levels. [46] Cholesterol drugs WILL reduce cholesterol by some amount. But, what they won?t do is to prolong your life![48] Cholesterol is a waxy substance present throughout the body, and is involved in the production of hormones, Vitamin D, and the bile acids used for digestion. However, when it occurs in excess of what the body needs for its natural maintenance processes, the remainder gets deposited in the arteries. Aspirin, with its ability to inhibit blood clots, cholesterol-lowering drugs (e.g., simvastatin), and estrogen replacement in postmenopausal women all appear to have a protective effect against eventual heart attack. If the buildup of plaque has progressed, an invasive or surgical procedure is often necessary, although a combination of a strict low-fat diet, stress management, and exercise has been found to reverse the disease.[55] Aspirin - low-dose aspirin may be used to avoid heart attacks. However, because of side effects and risks it is not usually recommended for healthy individuals.[56] Fat and cholesterol can harden and clog your arteries. A healthy diet is high in fiber and low in fat.[61] Fat should make up no more than 30% of the calories consumed and saturated fats should be less than 10% of calories. Limit cholesterol to 300 mg a day or less.[62] Obesity in ferrets shortens ferrets lives just like it does humans. When the weather was milder, we took walks and that helped some.[71] Obesity is a major problem among children in this country. [72] Medications are given to reduce the inflammation, as well as antibiotics to treat the Streptococcus infection. Other medications may be necessary to handle congestive heart failure.[74] Medication is a common form of treatment of heart disease. Some medications work to lower the amount of blood the heart has to push around (for example, diuretics that cause frequent urination), while some medications work by strengthening the muscle of the heart itself (for example, Digitalis).[75] Medical information changes rapidly and while Yahoo! No health information on Yahoo!, including information about herbal therapies and other dietary supplements, is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor.[76]
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