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The Dangers of Heart Disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease and is characterized by hardening of the arteries. Blood has a difficult time getting through the arteries, which leads to conditions such as heart attack and angina.

Heart failure is another type of heart disease. This occurs when the flow of blood through the body is slowed because the heart is not pumping normally. Symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath and swelling in the legs and feet.

A third type of heart disease is arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat. The most common symptoms of thi ... (more)

The Dangers of Heart Disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease and is characterized by hardening of the arteries. Blood has a difficult time getting through the arteries, which leads to conditions such as heart attack and angina.

Heart failure is another type of heart disease. This occurs when the flow of blood through the body is slowed because the heart is not pumping normally. Symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath and swelling in the legs and feet.

A third type of heart disease is arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat. The most common symptoms of this are a racing heart, dizziness, shortness of breath and chest pains.

The Causes of Heart Disease

There are several causes of heart disease. It can be genetic, or it can be the result of poor lifestyle choices. In some cases, it may be a combination of these two factors. It can also be related to pre-existing health conditions, for example diabetes. If you are overweight or suffer from a health condition, it is important to visit your doctor and get checked regularly for signs of heart disease.

Preventing Heart Disease

There are preventive measures you can take to help avoid heart disease or to improve your condition:

Get active and maintain a healthy weight. A body mass index of between 25 and 29 is considered overweight, and a body mass index of over 30 is considered obese. Individuals who are overweight are more at risk for heart disease. Exercising just 30 minutes per day, 3 days per week will help you lose weight and will strengthen your heart.

Get your blood pressure checked. High blood pressure can be a factor for heart disease. There are ways to lower your blood pressure – through medication, a healthy diet and exercise.

Eat a balanced diet. Consuming plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, particularly products that are high in antioxidants, is a great way to help prevent heart disease. It is also important to cut fatty foods, processed foods and products that contain high levels of salt, sugar and cholesterol out of your diet because they can lead to hardening of the arteries.

Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake. This will improve the health of your heart, as well as your overall well-being.

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