An Overview of Heart Disease

 

     Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in many developed countries around the world, and the number of cases is rising steadily as a result of modern lifestyles and longevity. Although having this condition can have a profound effect on a patient's life, modern medicine has developed a number of effective treatments for heart disease, from drugs and lifestyle improvements to surgery.

     Of course, prevention is always better than cure, so before we look at some of the symptoms of heart disease we will look at some of the ways you can help your body prevent accidents.

     Living a healthy lifestyle can go a long way in reducing the risk of heart problems, but unfortunately there is a risk factor inherited, so even those with very good health may find that they have a genetic predisposition to heart disease in adulthood. Happily, a major genetic predisposition to heart disease is that it makes us vulnerable to certain risks, and by carefully adjusting our lifestyle we can significantly improve our chances of avoiding it.

     Two of the most common causes of heart problems are smoking and obesity. Both of these factors can elevate blood pressure to dangerous levels, placing an additional burden on the heart. Smoking causes fat deposits in the arteries and causes circulatory problems. Obesity often means that a healthy diet is not followed, so the body may lack the essential minerals and nutrients that the heart needs to continue functioning in a healthy way.

    Quitting smoking and other bad habits, such as binge drinking, and improving diet and exercise to lose weight can go a long way in preventing problems.

     Symptoms of a developing heart problem can be subtle and serious. Unfortunately, many symptoms can also indicate other risk factors, so a diagnosis of heart disease is often made later than it would otherwise. If you experience more than one of the symptoms below, a trip to your doctor is highly recommended.

     Exhaustion during exercise is somewhat common in almost everyone, but if you find that you are losing weight more easily then this is a clear indication that not all of your normal fitness levels can be normal, and that the heart may be struggling under pressure.

     Heart palpitations, which can be severe or unbalanced, may be a sign of anxiety or may occur after excessive exercise, but if none of these conditions work then heart problems can be the cause.

     A tingling sensation at the edges of the body such as the fingers, toes, or lips is often a sign that your circulatory system is not producing enough oxygen, and it is a sign of potential heart problems. In case your extremes continue to develop a blue color, this is not a good sign, and you should seek medical help at once.

     The last and most obvious sign of heart problems is a feeling of tightness or chest pain, a condition known as angina. If you experience chest pain at any time, even if it is very severe, it is best to check with your doctor to make sure you are getting any problems as soon as possible. Angina can be treated very well with medication in most cases, and it does not have to develop into a complete heart disease.

    In short, living a healthy lifestyle while focusing on symptoms will greatly reduce your risk of heart disease.