The Basic Facts About Heart Disease - What Is It and What are the Risk Factors?
By: Dee Braun
Heart diseases are also called cardiac diseases. Individuals of all ages can
develop heart diseases. The most common form of heart disease in adults is
coronary artery disease, which is the major cause of heart attacks and the most
common form of heart disease in children, is congenital heart
disease.
Heart disease can affect the heart muscle, the heart vessels,
heart tissue or the heart valves. Heart disease can be caused by smoking, high
blood pressure, high cholesterol, infection, and toxins or from a birth defect.
Some people are born with heart disease and most develop heart disease over
time.
There are certain factors that put certain people at risk for heart
disease such as individuals who have a family history of heart disease, those
who smoke, and those who have high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol.
Individual who are obese or lead inactive lives are also at an increased risk
for heart disease. Age increases your risk for heart disease. Some of the risk
factors such as family history and age cannot be controlled.
Heart
disease present at birth can usually not be controlled if it is heredity in
nature. Factors such as smoking, blood pressure and blood cholesterol and
controlling diseases such as diabetes that when uncontrolled can lead to heart
disease. You can reduce your risk for heart disease by controlling your blood
pressure and blood cholesterol, by not smoking, and by getting enough exercise
and eating healthy foods.
If an individual suspects heart disease due to
having symptoms such as chest pain or discomfort, nausea, vomiting, shortness of
breath, dizziness or a feeling that something bad is going to happen they should
contact their doctor for an exam and diagnosis. Doctors are trained and have the
skills to make the diagnosis of heart disease. You will first be asked to fill
out a medical history form that will list your general health, and your symptoms
as well as any family history. During the examination your vital signs will be
taken including your blood pressure, weight, height, pulse, respiratory rate and
temperature.
The doctor will give you a complete examination to rule out
any other diseases. You may be sent to a laboratory for blood tests and to the
x-ray department for a chest x-ray. Your doctor will be evaluating your risk for
heart disease and any sign of present heart disease. You may also be sent for an
electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), which will reveal any arrhythmias or irregular
heart rhythms.
You may then be sent for special tests such as an exercise
electrocardiogram, a fluoroscopy, phonocardiography, echocardiography, or an
angiocardiography (cardiac catheterization). Your doctor will then put all the
test results together and determine if you have heart disease or are at risk for
heart disease.
Risk factors for heart disease are high blood pressure,
high blood cholesterol, the presence of diabetes, and smoking. These are the
highest risk factors. Other factors are age, family history, and being obese and
having an inactive lifestyle as well as stress. These last factors are
considered minor risk factors.
After your doctor review your test results
and determines your heart health and your risk factors for heart disease the
doctor will give you a diagnosis or tell you what you can do to decrease your
risk for heart disease.
Dee Braun, a single mom of 6, is a Cert. Aromatherapist and natural
health practitioner. Click now to visit Health or High Water at http://www.healthorhighwater.com/ where you'll find info to
improve your health using nutritional supplements to battle the ravages of time, poor
nutrition, & toxins.
Article Source: http://www.articlespan.com/
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