Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally. While it’s important to detect CVDs disease early, it’s also essential to know your risk. With the start of a new year, there are renewed opportunities to maintain a healthy heart.
Cardiovascular Disease
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels. They include:
- Coronary Heart Disease – A disease of the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle.
- Cerebrovascular Disease – A disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain.
- Peripheral Arterial Disease – A disease of blood vessels supplying the arms and legs.
- Rheumatic Heart Disease – Damage to the heart muscle and heart valves from rheumatic fever, caused by streptococcal bacteria.
- Congenital Heart Disease – Birth defects that affect the normal development and functioning of the heart caused by malformations of the heart structure from birth.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism – Blood clots in the leg veins, which can dislodge and move to the heart and lungs.
Healthy Habits and Heart Disease
Most heart diseases result from preventable behavioral risk factors such as unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and harmful use of alcohol. The effects may show up in individuals as raised blood pressure, raised blood sugar levels, higher blood lipids, weight gain, and obesity. You can significantly reduce your risk for heart disease through lifestyle changes.
For those individuals already diagnosed with heart disease, healthier changes can also help you reduce medicine in some cases. Living a healthy lifestyle can help keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels normal and lower your risk for heart disease and heart attack.
The CDC recommends the following healthy lifestyle changes:
- Healthy Drinks and Snacks:
- Healthy meals and snacks can help prevent heart disease and its complications. Be sure to include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and fewer processed foods in your meal choices.
- Maintaining a Healthy Weight:
- Carrying extra weight can put extra stress on the heart and blood vessels. This raises your risk for heart disease.
- Physical Activity:
- Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight. It can also help you lower your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. Every week, the Surgeon General recommends 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, like brisk walking or bicycling.
- Not Smoking:
- Cigarette smoking significantly increases your risk for heart disease. For those who don’t smoke, keep it that way. If you do, quitting will lower your risk for heart disease.
If you’ve been diagnosed with heart disease, clinical research studies may be an option. To learn more about enrolling heart disease studies here at Synergy Healthcare, call us at (941) 896-4948 or visit our website.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353118
