Identify Your Risk Factors For Heart Disease: The Leading Causes Of Heart Problems In The United States
According to the latest census, the leading cause of death in the United States is heart disease, overtaking cancer and it has been the leading cause of death in the El Centro area for well over a decade.
Many times heart disease is a treatable condition that, when addressed early on, can be handled with the help of a physician.
The problem is that too many people ignore the warning signs and their risk factors, and they allow the early stages of the disease to get serious before they seek medical attention.
By that time it may be too late to treat the symptoms, and the life and health of the patient are at risk.
If you live in the United States and you have any of these risk factors it is a good idea to consult with your physician about preventive treatments.
Weight And Inactivity
Of all the factors that affect the risk of heart disease in the United States, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are the most likely culprits.
Between the fatty foods and sugary drinks that Americans consume and the number of hours that are spent watching television or playing on the computer, Americans put a lot of additional strain on their hearts.
Over time weight and inactivity put so much strain on the heart that it cannot keep up, and this can cause rapid and catastrophic heart failure. Fortunately weight and inactivity issues are things that you can take care of on your own.
Reduce the number of calories that you take in and avoid sugary drinks like sodas and you will see weight begin to drop. If you also add in some additional exercise, such as walking upstairs instead of taking an elevator, your heart will start to grow strong once again.
Smoking
Another area where Americans are the most at risk for heart disease is with smoking. For decades cigarettes were an integral part of the American cultural identity, but that was before doctors really understood the health risks that are involved.
The problem with smoking is that it increases your risk of atherosclerosis, or the hardening of your arteries through the build up of plaque.
When your arteries are full of plaque your heart is forced to work harder and harder to keep the blood flowing, and that can put undue strain on the heart.
Your arms and legs are the most likely to suffer from the reduced blood flow, and you may start to feel persistent numbness in those areas as they are being starved of oxygen.
If you have any of the other risk factors for heart disease you need to stop smoking immediately and have yourself checked out by a doctor before you develop severe symptoms of heart disease.
Medical History
Unfortunately you can live a healthy life and stay away from the leading causes of heart disease and still be at high risk yourself because of your family’s medical history.
If members of your family suffered heart attacks, but they were overweight smokers, then it is not likely that you have a hereditary disposition to heart disease.
On the other hand, if other members of your family, who were in generally good health, started to show the symptoms of heart disease at an early age, then it is likely that you may be carrying the same genetic predisposition.
Knowing your family’s medical history is important in understanding your own medical situation, so make sure that you know where potential problem areas might be and make certain that you mention them as part of your intake paperwork when you see a cardiologist.
Once symptoms appear it is necessary to start thinking about the treatment options, and centers like the California Heart Clinic, offer some of the best vascular services in the El Centro area.
Your heart is not something to mess around with, and if you think that you might be at risk for a heart attack, consult with your doctor before it is too late.
I am Kendra Hawking and last year my husband suffered a heart attack. He was a smoker with a family history of heart problems, but failed to mention either of those things to his doctor during his routine checkup.
Thankfully my husband recovered, but there are too many who do not and I wrote this article so that families can treat their heart issues before they get out of control.
