Heart Disease: Who is at risk?

EVERYONE!!!!

Regardless of age everyone is at risk for heart disease.

There are ways to prevent heart disease at any age.  Making healthy changes in your life can help prevent heart disease from sneaking up on you. Years of unhealthy eating habits along with lack of exercise can contribute to the development of this silent killer.

There are however ways to prevent heart disease at any age. Education is the first step to stopping the spread of this disease. Pt education program are available and have shown that when people are educated regarding options and strategies they are able to make life changes that could save their life. This information is designed to be accessible to to all people regardless of education or literacy level.

It is important to:

  • Use plain language and avoid jargon
  • Minimize the number of new concepts introduced simultaneously
  • Present new information in a sequential manner so that the learner can use known information while incorporating the new information
  • Chuck information into manageable pieces
  • Avoid distracting non topic information

A healthy life style is the best defense when combating heart disease. Here are some healthy tips that can be used to make healthy changes at any age.

Make healthy food choices:

  • Avoid saturated fat, trans fats and foods high in sodium
  • Eat more fruits and vegetables
  • Eat more whole grains, nuts and fish
  • Lean meats and avoid red meat
  • Low fat dairy products
  • Avoid beverages high in added sugar

Be physically active:

  • At least 30 minutes of aerobic activity per day
  • 1 hour of vigorous play for chidren

Do not smoke

Annual appointments with a healthcare professional

  • Your doctor will monitor your blood sugar levels, weight and help you manage stress
  • By going for annual appointments the doctor will be able to catch early warning signs of heart disease regardless of age.

Know your family history

  • By knowing your family history of high cholesterol, heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure will help you to make changes and be aware of warning signs

Manage stress levels

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/How-to-Help-Prevent-Heart-Disease—At-Any-Age_UCM_442925_Article.jsp#.WpMyJejwZPZ

 

 

Billions of dollars every year have been spent to understand and treat those at high risk for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). Some changes can be made simply through lifestyle changes but there are those who have genetic factors that play a large role in their health and whether or not they develop CAD. Those that have the genetic factors that contribute to the disease often feel like nothing can be done and are dependent on medical intervention with pharmaceuticals.

Genetics and family history play a huge role in CAD and annual trips to a physician are recommended. It is also so important to listen to your body. If you are feeling different or “off” make the appointment and get checked out. It just may save your life.

Studies have been conducted over the years to identify, prevent and educate about heart disease and CAD. In most studies woman are grossly underrepresented. Since 1993 woman have been represented as 50% of most studies to more accurately gather data to develop educational programs for the prevention and treatment of heart disease in woman. Woman above the age of 25 should get regular checkups. Risk factors vary from individual to individual.

Signs of a heart a heart attack vary from person to person and are different between men and woman.

Heart Attack Signs in Women

  • Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
  • Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
  • Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
  • Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
  • As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.

Know your body. Get regular checkups. Manage stress. Move more. Eat better.

It just may save your life.

 

References:

How to Help Prevent Heart Disease – At Any Age. (n.d.). Retrieved February 18, 2018, from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/How-to-Help-Prevent-Heart-Disease—At-Any-Age_UCM_442925_Article.jsp#.WomnO6jwZPY

Shah, A., Clayman, M. L., Glass, S., & Kandula, N. R. (2015). Protect Your Heart: A Culture-Specific Multimedia Cardiovascular Health Education Program. Journal of Health Communication, 20(4), 424-430. doi:10.1080/10810730.2014.965366

Nabel, E. G. (2015). Heart Disease Prevention in Young Women. Circulation, 132(11), 989-991. doi:10.1161/circulationaha.115.018352