Cardiovascular Disease
The American Heart Association estimates that 60 million Americans suffer from some type of cardiovascular disease. Here's Dr. Firstname M. Lastname, a Family Practice physician with Medical Center/Hospital, to give us some sound advice on how to avoid this deadly disease.
What's the most common type of cardiovascular disease?
Without a doubt it's high blood pressure, also called hypertension, which affects 50 million Americans. It's often called the "Silent Killer" because it can go undetected for years. That's why it's so important for people to have your blood pressure checked regularly.
What is high blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. High blood pressure occurs when the force exceeds 140/90. Untreated, it can cause many long standing complications. It is the #1 cause of heart and kidney failure and is a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. Excessive salt in the diet, race, weight and heredity may also be contributing risk factors.
What about coronary artery disease?
Coronary artery disease is the single leading cause of death in America today. It's the narrowing of the blood vessels of the heart often in association with the high cholesterol. Hypertension increases the work load of the hear, making the symptoms worse.
We hear a lot about cholesterol. What is it?
Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced naturally by the liver but also ingested through animal products such as meats, poultry, fish and dairy. Excess cholesterol in the bloodstream can form plaque (a thick, hard deposit) on artery walls, causing arteries to become thicker and less flexible, sometimes blocking blood flow to the heart. The heart becomes starved for oxygen, and chest pain or angina can result. When blood flow to the heart is severely impaired or stops completely, a heart attack will result. The same process occurring in the brain will result in a stroke.