Heart disease is one of the deadliest killers in the United States, but did you know that in some cases it can be prevented?
Heart health is important your entire life and there is no particular age that it becomes more important, says Mary Ellen Roberts, a nurse practitioner and member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. “Early in life, patients need to make a commitment to stay physically active, maintain a healthy weight, and get annual physical exams.”
When talking about cardiovascular health it is especially important that people watch cholesterol levels as well as being aware of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, cardiac arrhythmias and peripheral vascular disease, symptoms often include chest discomfort, shortness of breath, palpitations, fatigue, left arm, and jaw discomfort.
However, there are other heart health problems too and according to Anand Rohatgi, MD, FACC; a Cardiologist at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, TX, depending on the type of heart disease, it can affect people of any age:
- Coronary artery disease starts as early as the teenage years and continues to progress over a lifetime, thus leading to heart attacks. There are no screening tests for coronary artery disease or stroke, but testing is indicated once a person develops symptoms. Controlling risk factors such as blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, smoking, and weight can decrease the risk of developing these diseases.
- Congestive heart failure is usually due to prior heart attacks or high blood pressure. By controlling risk factors for heart attacks and controlling blood pressure, the risk of heart failure decreases.
- Some congenital heart defects are significant in utero or infancy, and often surgically corrected at the time of diagnosis, usually in infancy. These include Tetraology of Fallot and other anomalies of heart structures. Other congenital heart defects such as bicuspid aortic valve, where the aortic valve is abnormal, do not cause problems until a person is in their 40s or 50s. People with bicuspid aortic valves often have hypertension and high blood pressure.
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a hereditary condition that affects one in 500 individuals and leads to a thickened heart muscle. Symptoms can present at any time in life and are exacerbated by heavy exertion or dehydration.
- As people age, they often develop calcifications of their heart valves, in particular the aortic valve, which leads to valve narrowing and blunted blood flow out of the heart. Symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, or passing out are signs of this type of disease, and usually manifests when people are in their later years.
Therefore, while there are many reasons for heart problems, one particular problem these days that plagues Americans is obesity.
“The biggest epidemic we face today in the United States is obesity,” says Rohatgi. “It affects two-thirds of all adults and over one-third of all children.”
In fact, it seems that obesity almost always leads to heart disease. To that effect, it is important to take control of your life early to see positive results down the road.
“The most effective way to reduce heart disease is by eating a heart healthy diet and exercising every day,” Rohatgi adds. “Maintaining lean body size and physical activity are more effective than most medications and other therapies at preventing heart disease.”
There are, of course other causes to consider that lead to heart disease, for example, in addition to paying attention to diet and exercise, screening for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high blood sugars should begin in early adulthood too.
“Once a person is in their early 20s they should begin these screenings,” Rohatgi says. “And continue every five years as long as everything is normal.”
And, though the rate of smoking has declined significantly, still about one fourth of all U.S. adults continue to smoke with most beginning in their teen years, that’s a problem as well.
“Smoking cessation has had a significant impact on reducing the chances of a heart attack or stroke, as well as cancer and lung disease,” Rohatgi says. “Preventing the habit is the biggest key, but quitting is also very important. The toxic effects of smoking start to decline after not smoking even for one day. Also important to remember, second-hand smoke increases the risk for heart attacks and stroke, so avoiding public places where smoking is allowed and asking smokers to not smoke in the home will also improve heart health.”
Men and women also experience different types of threats when it comes to heart disease. Roberts says, “There are many similarities, but there are also some important differences in heart disease between men and women. First of all, it’s important to know that heart disease is the single leading cause of death for both men and women.”
Women tend to experience heart disease normally 10 years later than men, and usually with different symptoms. For both genders however, chest pressure is the most common symptom. Women also tend to experience shortness of breath, jaw pain, headaches, nausea, fatigue, and stomach upset, all considered atypical symptoms of heart disease.
Roberts adds that while it may take women longer to experience heart disease, they also tend to have a worse prognosis with the disease once they’re in the hospital.
As for ethnic groups, Rohatgi explains that “Most studies of heart disease have been performed in Caucasians, but African-Americans have higher rates of sudden cardiac death and heart failure, some of which is due to higher rates of high blood pressure and obesity. Hispanics have accelerated rates of diabetes and obesity, which is now translating to earlier heart disease. South
Asians often have premature, hereditary coronary heart disease too.”
No matter what age you are, it is never too early to begin thinking about your heart. If you are a little older and have no documented heart disease, begin a walking program immediately.
Add to that, Rohatgi says, regular meetings with your primary care physician to undergo various screenings allowing your doctor to assess if at any time you’ve developed heart disease symptoms.
Rohatgi also points out that certain medications, like aspirin and cholesterol lowering drugs such as the statins, have been extremely effective in lowering rates of heart attacks and strokes in high-risk individuals, those who have prior heart attacks or strokes, or have current heart disease, diabetes, or multiple risk factors. He also says that over-the-counter supplements and herbs claim to improve heart health with the most robust data being in support of fish oil.
Want to get your own personal assessment and heart health tips, visit the American Heart Association website at http://mylifecheck.heart.org/.
Sources:
Mary Ellen Roberts, Nurse Practitioner and member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Anand Rohatgi, MD, FACC, Cardiologist at Parkland Hospital, Dallas, Texas