What is heart disease

      On average, someone dies of CVD every 40 seconds

                           

 Heart disease is something to take very seriously it is the leading cause of death for adult men in the United States (Dr. Axe, 2018). It is the leading cause of death for females over 65. It accounts for 800,000 deaths in the united states or one out of every three deaths.

Distribution of CVD deaths in males             

Distribution of CVD deaths in females             

Heart disease describes a range of conditions that affect your heart. Diseases under the heart disease umbrella include blood vessel diseases, such as coronary artery disease; heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias); and heart defects you’re born with (congenital heart defects), among others. The term “heart disease” is often used interchangeably with the term “cardiovascular disease.” Cardiovascular disease generally refers to conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke. Other heart conditions, such as those that affect your heart’s muscle, valves or rhythm, also are considered forms of heart disease (Mayo Clinic, 2018). According to Covenant Health Care more than 62 million Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease. There are many different types of heart disease. Many people are born with them which are congenital. Most of the heart diseases affect people later in life and develop overtime. Here is a list of the most common ones:

·         Coronary Artery Disease- blockage in the coronary arteries, the heart muscles don’t get enough oxygen.

·         Silent Ischemia- the blood flow to the heart is reduced but produces very little pain or symptoms, pain is usually experienced during physical exertion.

·         Angina- pain that happens when your heart is not getting enough oxygen and nutrients. It is usually caused by narrowing or muscle spasms in the coronary arteries.

·         Heart Attack- blood flow to part of the heart is blocked which can cause damage to the heart muscle.

·         Arrhythmia- when the hearts electrical system does not function correctly, it can cause the heart to race, become slow, irregular, or skip beats.

·         Peripheral Arterial Disease- is when fatty plaque builds up in the arteries and diminishes blood flow.

·         Heart valve problems 

    

Heart disease has many symptoms and they depend upon what type of heart disease you have. Symptoms can include chest pain, chest pressure, shortness of breath, pain, numbness or weakness in arms or legs, dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath, a racing heart, you may also have discoloration of your skin a pale or blue color, you may also tire easy, get short of breath during exercise, might experience swelling of your legs ankles or feet.

A heart attack happens when the blood flow to a certain part of the heart is blocked by a blood clot. The heart muscle that is supplied by the artery may begin to die or have permanent damage. While most people survive there first heart attack it means they need to make changes to their life.

 When a blood vessel that feeds the brain gets blocked it’s called an ischemic stroke. This causes the part of the brain cells to die when the blood supply is cut off. This can result in some permanent functioning disabilities such as walking and talking. 

Covenant Health Care (2015). Types of Heart Disease. Retrieved from, https://www.covenanthealthcare.com/main/typesofheartdisease.aspx

Mayo Clinic (2018, February 3). Heart Disease. Retrieved from, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353118