Heart Disease

Heart Disease is one of the leading causes of death in both men and women in the U.S.  That’s why it is important to learn about your heart and symptoms and be checked by your physician if you experience any irregularities with your heart.  Heart Disease can be inherited and or enhanced by the life-style choices. The American Heart Association ACLS recert class can help prevent sudden cardiac death. Some examples of causes of Heart Disease are cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, lack of exercise, and inherited which  would be based on the family history.

Not everyone gets Heart Disease some are born with it and that is known as Congenital Heart Disease.  Congenital Heart Disease is a type of defect or malformation in one or more structures of the heart or blood vessels that occur before birth.  Congenital Heart disease my present itself at birth and sometimes not until adulthood. It is not known why it occurs as a fetus but has been said that exposure to some viral infections and alcohol could play a role.

Some symptoms of heart disease are irregularities in the heart such as abnormal rhythms or arrhythmia’s, shortness of breath, which can lead to a heart attack.  Other symptoms of the disease are weakness, dizziness, sweating, and a faster heartbeat. Although many heart problems can have the same symptoms it is important to be checked by a doctor if the symptoms keep occurring.

Symptoms of heart attack can be but are not limited to feeling numbness  or arm, pressure or heaviness in the chest, extreme weakness, vomiting.
During a heart attack you may or may not have any symptoms at all , which is more common with diabetics.  If you do have symptoms they may last up to 30 minutes and can not be calmed by oral medication.  Tightness in the chest can turn into severe pain and then you should immediately be seen by a hospital.

There are many treatments and care for someone with heart disease.  You should learn CPR for you and your loved one in case of an attack. There are medications, stents and even surgical procedures, which should be discussed with your physician.

Even though there is no cure for the disease living with the disease is possible and manageable with direction from your doctor. You can also try to live a healthier way of life.  This would include no smoking, plenty of safe exercise and a heart healthy diet.