Heart Disease Is Silent, But Can Reduce Risk

Heart disease is a silent killer and it's not always preventable. See how many people die of heart disease, but the society takes note most of the time when a celebrity dies of heart disease or heart attack. Tim Russert heart attack and George Carlin who died of heart disease bring heart health into spotlight.

"Heart disease is not always preventable, but it is often manageable. So many of the risk factors for heart disease are self-induced lifestyle choices like smoking, eating unhealthy diets, and not exercising enough. And yet, for some reason, that message is just not getting across. Is it because heart disease is something that happens to "someone else?" I don't know, I see family members of people with heart disease living dangerously. I even see healthcare professionals that care for people with heart disease living dangerously," writes Marijke in her blog (medhealthwriter.blogspot.com).

Dr. Peter Libby, M.D. writes in yesterday's issue of NYTimes (Readers' Questions: Heart Disease Without the Symptoms) that it was known as if heart attacks occurred due to the gradual and progressive formation of blockages that impede blood flow in the arteries coursing around the surface of the heart, but recently the doctors have learned that heart disease plays kind of tricks on people. "According to this traditional view, the flow of oxygen and nutrients eventually becomes so scanty that the patient will experience chest pains, especially when the heart is stressed by exertion. Physicians also may be alerted to heart trouble by changes in electrocardiogram readings observed as a patient exercises, or by nuclear imaging scans used to visualize areas of poor blood flow."

Acording to CDC Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. Almost 700,000 people die of heart disease in the U.S. each year. That is about 29% of all U.S. deaths. Heart disease is a term that includes several more specific heart conditions.

The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack.

Major symptoms of heart attack are

• Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back.
• Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint.
• Chest pain or discomfort.
• Pain or discomfort in arms or shoulder.
• Shortness of breath.

Some conditions as well as some lifestyle factors can put people at a higher risk for developing heart disease. In principle, all individuals can take steps to lower their risk of heart disease and heart attack by addressing these risk factors. Control of risk factors is especially need by people who already have heart disease.

The risk of heart disease can be reduced, while it's heart to prevent, heart disease risk can be reduced by taking health related steps. CDC recommends the following steps. Prevent and control your blood pressure and cholesterol. Don't smoke. Prevent and control your diabetes risk. If you drink alcohol, do that in moderation and always responsibly. Maintain healthy weight and eat healthy.