Heart Disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Heart disease includes Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), Heart Attack, Congestive Heart Failure and Congenital Heart Failure. The most common type of heart disease is CAD which is a narrowing or blockage of the heart arteries. The heart arteries are narrowed or blocked by cholesterol build up and other artery narrowing and hardening substances called plaque. The build up of cholesterol and plaque in the arteries is called artherosclerosis. CAD is a major cause of heart attacks. Additionally, over time the reduced blood flow to the heart muscle can lead to heart failure or arrhythmias. When a person develops heart failure, their heart can no longer pump blood well through the heart’s left ventricle to the rest of the body. With arrhythmias the heart has an abnormal beating rhythm.
Primary risk factors for heart disease include:
-High Blood Pressure
-High Cholesterol
-Overweight
-Sedentary Lifestyle
-Diabetes
-Smoking.
-Increasing Age-Men over age 55 and women over age 45
-Genetic Predisposition
Primary causes of high cholesterol (Hypercholesterolemia) include:
-Overweight
-Sedentary Lifestyle
-Unhealthy Diet-A diet high in cholesterol and saturated fats
Blood Pressure which is 140 or higher systolic over 90 or higher diastolic is categorized as hypertension. Hypertension is a major cause of heart disease. The increased blood pressure causes the heart to have to work harder which leads to heart muscle thickening. Hypertensive Heart Disease is the leading cause of illness and death from high blood pressure according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
BLOOD PRESSURE CATEGORIES
Category Systolic Diastolic
Normal Under 120 And Under 80
Prehypertension 120-139 Or 80-89
Stage 1 Hypertension 140-159 Or 90-99
Stage 2 Hypertension Greater than 160 Or Greater than 100
Heart Disease prevention focuses on the primary causes:
-If you are diabetic, manage your glucose level
-If you are hypertensive-Manage your Blood Pressure Levels
-Get active and stay active
-If you have High Cholesterol, manage your cholesterol levels
-Maintain a healthy weight
-Eat a healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables
Reference the Compass Fitness.com Hypertension Fitness Guidance for more information about Hypertension and how to manage it. Also, reference the Diabetes Fitness Guidance for more information about diabetes and how to manage it.
