Who does heart disease affect?
As the number one killer of Americans, heart disease affects all populations. Combined with stroke and other cardiovascular diseases, these diseases accounted for 35 percent of all deaths in 2005, with over 800,000 deaths each year. These rates are especially high among minorities and those over 65.
How do the rates of heart disease in women compare to those in men?
Each year more women die form heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular disease than men. When healthcare providers were surveyed, only eight percent of primary care physicians were aware that more women than men die from heart disease, demonstrating the lack of awareness of the risk among women.
What risk factors put Americans at greatest risk of developing heart disease?
- High levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL)
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Tobacco Use
- A diet high in saturated fats, cholesterol, and sodium
- Physical inactivity
- Obesity
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Family history of heart disease
Is heart disease preventable?
Researchers estimate that by engaging in heart-healthy behaviors, up to 80 percent of heart disease and stroke incidence can be prevented. This reduction could spare as many as 17 million Americans from these illnesses.
What can you do to reduce your risk of heart disease?
Many of the greatest risk factors can be modified to reduce you risk of heart disease:
- Prevent or control your high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes
- Stop smoking
- Eat a healthy diet of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables that is low in fat
- Exercise regularly
- Consume alcohol in moderation (no more than 1 drink a day for women or 2 drinks a day for men)
What are heart-healthy numbers for cholesterol?
There are two types of cholesterol, fat-like substances that travel through the blood. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) deliver cholesterol to the body while high-density lipoproteins (HDL) remove cholesterol form the bloodstream. Because too much LDL can block arteries, there must be a healthy balance of each. Ideal LDL levels are those below 100 for people at high risk of heart disease, and 100 to 129 for those not at high risk. For HDL, levels of 60 and higher are best to reduce the likelihood of heart disease. In sum, your cholesterol total should be less than 200. A combination of more than 240 places you at increased risk of heart disease.
What are the sources of cholesterol?
While LDL is produced naturally by the body through genetic traits, your diet also plays a large role in your levels of LDL. A diet rich in saturated and trans fats also increases your level of bad cholesterol. However, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats, which come from vegetable oils like canola, peanut, olive, flax, corn, and sunflower seek, generally reduce cholesterol levels.
What are heart-healthy numbers for blood pressure?
Your blood pressure reading indicates two things. The first number (systolic pressure) indicates the pressure the heart needs to pump blood through the body, while the second number (diastolic pressure) indicates the pressure of the relaxed heart. The ideal blood pressure for an adult is below 120 over 80. A reading of systolic pressure greater than 120 or diastolic pressure is greater than 80 is a warning of future hypertension (high blood pressure) and you should check with your doctor to learn how to lessen this risk.
What causes diabetes?
There are two forms of diabetes, but among adults, Type 2 is most common. When we eat food it is broken down into glucose that our body uses for energy. For people with diabetes, their body develops insulin resistance and the lower levels of insulin prevent the glucose from entering their cells. Among the factors contributing to diabetes are obesity, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, and family history of the illness.
What are the health consequences of diabetes?
Without the necessary glucose levels in cells, cells do not get their proper level of energy and the amount of glucose in the blood increases. Over time, these high glucose levels damage nerves and blood vessels. People with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease. They are also more likely to develop heart disease or have strokes at an earlier age than those without diabetes. Untreated diabetes also leads to other health problems such as vision loss, kidney failure, and amputations.
What can women do to ensure their risk of heart disease is acknowledged by their physician?
Because many physicians are unaware of the high rates of heart disease among women, it is important than women discuss their concerns and risk factors with their physicians in order to develop a plan to combat the disease.
What services are available through Medicare for heart disease prevention?
Medicare coverage now includes testing for cholesterol and blood fat screenings to detect cardiovascular disease risk factors at early stages. Medicare will also cover part of the costs of smoking cessation counseling for those who have been diagnosed with smoking-related illnesses. For diabetes, Medicare covers up to two screenings each year for those at risk of getting the disease and may also cover testing strips and monitors among those already diagnosed.
All FAQs were abstracted primarily from the American Heart Association. For more, information visit www.americanheart.org.
