Cardiovascular Diseases

1
Cardiovascular Diseases

• Cardiovascular diseases are diseases of the heart
  and blood vessels. They are referred to as
  lifestyle diseases. Why is this so?
• Answer The lifestyle you choose and the habits
  you develop can either accelerate, prevent or
  delay the development of CV diseases. CV disease
  is the number one killer of both men and women in
  the United States.

2
Types Of CV Diseases

1. An arrhythmia is a heart condition in which the
   heartbeat is abnormal and irregular. This can
   lead to a heart attack.
2. Atherosclerosis is a disease in which fat
   deposits on artery walls. These fatty deposits
   may block the artery, leading to a heart attack.
3. Arteriosclerosis is a disease in which the artery
   walls harden and thicken, restricting blood flow.
   This may also lead to a heart attack.

3
Types Of CV Diseases (cont.)

• 4. Hypertension, also known as high blood
  pressure, is a condition in which the pressure
  that the blood exerts on the artery walls is
  above normal for a sustained amount of time.
• 5. Angina pectoris is chest pain that results
  from narrowed or blocked blood vessels in the
  heart. This type of pain frequently precedes a
  heart attack.

4
Types Of CV Diseases (cont.)

• 6. A myocardial infarction (MI) is the scientific
  name for a heart attack. When blood flow back to
  the heart is partially or completely blocked,
  part of the heart muscle dies, causing an MI.
  This can result in disability or death.
• 7. A stroke is a serious medical condition in
  which a blocked or broken blood vessel inside the
  brain bursts, causing hemorrhaging (bleeding). A
  stroke can result in paralysis or death.

5
Types Of CV Diseases (cont.)

• 8. An aneurysm is a sac formed by local
  enlargement of the weakened wall of an artery, a
  vein, or the heart muscle itself. It is caused
  either by injury or disease.

6
Preventing CV Diseases

• There are risk factors that you can control
  (smoking, obesity, hypertension, stress,
  diabetes, inactivity, and failing to get medical
  checkups) and risk factors that you cannot
  control (your age, heredity, and race).

7
Preventing CV Diseases (cont.)

• Since you cant control your heredity, its
  probably a good idea to obtain information about
  your family history. Were there any premature
  heart attacks (heart attack before age 55 in
  males or 65 in females)? Any other diseases
  present?
• Since the risk of CV disease increases with age,
  adults should receive regular medical checkups (a
  full checkup at least every two years is
  recommended).

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Preventing CV Diseases (cont.)

• Choose to stay tobacco-free! As early as 1964,
  the U.S. Surgeon General stated that smoking was
  the single greatest risk factor in the
  development of CV disease. The risk of a heart
  attack or stroke is 70 greater in a smoker than
  a nonsmoker!
• Practice your stress management skills. Find out
  what works for you. Peace-out?

9
Preventing CV Diseases (cont.)

• Choose a diet low in fat, simple sugars (that
  quickly become fat), and cholesterol.
• Include foods loaded with antioxidants
  (substances that protect cells from being damaged
  by oxidation). Carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli,
  green leafy vegetables, whole grain breads, and
  oranges are good sources.

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Preventing CV Diseases (cont.)

• Maintain your desirable weight. The heart must
  work harder to pump blood to body cells if a
  person is overweight. Being overweight also
  increases the risk for high blood cholesterol,
  high blood pressure, heart attack, and diabetes.

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Preventing CV Diseases (cont.)

• Participate in regular physical activity. It
  helps you maintain your desirable weight, helps
  clear fat from the blood, reduces the effects of
  stress, lowers blood pressure, and improves mood.
  Regular aerobic exercise reduces the risk of CV
  diseases.
• Maintain normal blood pressure. Remember, high
  blood pressure places extra wear and tear on the
  heart muscle.

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Preventing CV Diseases (cont.)

• Have regular medical checkups one probably could
  have saved my fathers life.
• Have blood work done. Get familiar with how to
  read the results of a blood test. What was your
  fasting blood sugar level? HDL LDL cholesterol
  levels? Cholesterol ratio? Triglycerides? Iron?
  Electrolytes?
• In the medical industry, knowledge is power!
• Take charge of your health! Know your options!