Lower your risk for heart disease
Heart disease affects millions of Americans each year and is the leading cause of death among men and women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Still, there are steps you can take to lower your risk when it comes to many of these conditions — and understanding the signs, symptoms and risk factors is a great place to start.
What is heart disease?
Heart disease encompasses a wide range of conditions that impact the heart and its vessels. While some cardiovascular conditions are inherited and must be managed for a lifetime, many types of heart disease can be prevented.
Since high blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol can all have a significant impact on your heart, seeing your primary care physician regularly can help you stay on top of your overall health and “numbers.”
The more you know about your particular risk factors, the more you can do to safeguard your heart.
As the state’s largest cardiovascular network, we make it easy for our patients to connect to heart, lung and vascular specialists close to home. If you think you might be at risk of developing a heart condition, take our free heart health risk assessment.
What are some common types of heart disease?
The term “heart disease” doesn’t refer to one specific heart condition. Rather, it’s used to describe several different types of cardiovascular conditions, from congenital heart conditions (conditions you’re born with) to structural valve issues to conditions that develop over a number of years, like coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure.
Heart disease is often referred to as a silent killer for a reason: You may not experience any symptoms you connect with serious heart condition or notice any significant signs before experiencing a cardiac event like a heart attack.
It’s important to understand the most common types of heart disease, so you can recognize the signs and seek treatment before irreparable damage is done to your heart.
Coronary heart disease
Also called coronary artery disease (CAD), coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease, affecting roughly 5% of adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, they report that CAD accounts for 1 in 5 deaths in the United States.
Caused by the buildup of plaque on your walls (atherosclerosis), coronary heart disease limits blood flow to your heart, increasing the risk for dangerous cardiac events like heart attacks and strokes.
Symptoms of coronary artery disease can include chest, arm, back, neck, jaw or stomach pain as well as numbness in the arms and legs and shortness of breath.
Fortunately, though, this vessel disease is preventable with healthy behaviors including diet and exercise.
Congestive heart failure
Contrary to what many people believe, heart failure doesn’t mean the heart stops beating; it simply affects your heart’s ability to pump blood well throughout your body.
Because your body can’t move blood efficiently when you have heart failure, it tends to pool in places like the lungs, legs and feet causing painful swelling and otherwise unexplained weight gain. And it can get worse if you don’t get treatment.
Heart valve problems
Although some people are born with heart valve disease, adults can develop it too: Your age, other heart conditions and infections can all be contributing factors.
Your four heart valves keep blood flowing in the right direction. And when a heart valve doesn’t work as it should, it can change how your blood flows throughout your body. Sometimes, a heart valve just isn’t formed properly. Other times, they can become stiff, too stretched out or won’t close tightly.
Treatment for heart valve problems on your unique condition and the severity of the problem. But surgery is sometimes needed to repair or replace the valve.
Hypertensive heart disease
In the U.S., an estimated 1 in 3 adults have high blood pressure, but just half of those have it under control. A common condition caused by chronic high blood pressure (higher than 120/80), hypertensive heart disease leads to added strain on the heart muscle and increases the risk for issues like heart attack and heart failure.
While high blood pressure often doesn’t cause symptoms on its own, symptoms of hypertensive heart disease can include chest pain, dizziness, fainting, heart palpitations and shortness of breath.
Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
If you have an arrhythmia, your heart can beat too slow, too fast or irregularly. When it beats too slow (less than 60 beats per minute), you have Bradycardia. When it beats too fast (more than 100 beats per minute), you have Tachycardia.
Arrhythmias can be caused by a variety of factors including other heart conditions like CAD, congenital defects, high blood pressure and cardiomyopathy. But stress, smoking, drugs and alcohol can also play a role.
Symptoms of arrhythmias include chest pain, dizziness, fainting and shortness of breath. These conditions can also cause a fluttering, racing or even slow heartbeat.
What should I know about heart disease risk factors?
Several risk factors negatively affect your heart health and can lead to different types of heart disease. And according to the CDC, nearly half of Americans have at least one.
There isn’t anything you can do to change certain risk factors. For example, men are generally at higher risk than women, and everyone’s risk increases after the age of 65. Also, some types of heart disease are inherited. But here’s the good news: When it comes to risk factors that are influenced by our everyday behaviors, there’s a lot we can do.
Can I reduce my risk by making healthy lifestyle changes?
Many underlying health conditions can lead to serious heart disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes — all of which can damage your arteries. Obesity is also considered to be connected to heart disease since it often contributes to high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
That’s why working with your primary care physician now, or other specialists as needed, to ensure these conditions are well-managed is crucial. The good news is that heart disease prevention is possible by actively managing your risk and staying on top of your key numbers.
Across the board, making healthy everyday choices like getting adequate sleep, staying active and eating a healthy, balanced diet is paramount. A poor diet that’s high in saturated fats, sugar and sodium can lead to unhealthy weight gain, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and other dangerous conditions. Following a health and fitness routine will stave off stress, keep your weight at bay and help you build a strong heart.
Just as important as knowing what to do, understanding what not to do will go a long way. Drinking too much alcohol – specifically, more than one drink per day for women and two for men – can lead to dangerous heart problems. So, being aware of, and limiting, your alcohol intake can help reduce your risk.
Similarly, smoking can also increase your heart rate and blood pressure, leading to a narrowing of the arteries and possible blood clots over time. Quitting smoking in fact, according to the CDC, is one of the most important actions people who smoke can take to reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease.
When is heart disease treatment needed?
Your doctor will diagnose heart disease using a variety of tests, including blood tests, cardiac catheterization, electrocardiograms, imaging and stress tests — and talk with you about any necessary treatment.
Of course, treatment will vary depending on your condition. But you care plan may include a combination of medication, surgery and cardiac rehabilitation. Your doctor will also likely recommend adjusting your lifestyle to be more heart-healthy and lower your risk for dangerous cardiac events.
Better heart health is just a call away
Concerned about your heart health? Our cardiovascular referral line connects you with trusted heart doctors who provide compassionate care. Get connected with a cardiologist in the HCA Florida Healthcare network when you call (833) 544-5031.