How Can We Prevent Cardiovascular Disease?

Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States.  Did you know there are more than 50 types of heart disease? When we use the term heart disease, we are actually referring to an umbrella term that includes a number of conditions affecting the structures or function of the heart, some of which are genetic, and many of which are the result of lifestyle choices. (1) Here, we look at the more common types of CVD and how we can reduce our risks through lifestyle changes like exercise and a healthy diet.

 

Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary Heart Disease- (CHD) is the most common form of heart disease. It occurs when the arteries supplying blood to the heart narrow or harden from the build-up of plaque. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol and other substances found in the blood. This plaque build-up is also known as atherosclerosis. The site of the plaque determines the type of heart disease: (2)

 

  • Coronary artery disease is the build-up of plaque in the arteries supplying blood to the heart.

 

  • Peripheral artery disease is the build-up of plaque in the arteries supplying blood to the arms and legs.

 

  • Carotid artery disease is the build-up of plaque in the arteries that supply blood to the brain.

 

Heart Attacks

The decrease in blood flow from the build-up of plaque can lead to chest pain and progress to a heart attack.

 

Heart Attack-occurs when the blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked by a blood clot. If this clot cuts off the blood flow completely, the part of the heart muscle supplied by that artery begins to die. Besides chest pain, common symptoms include shortness of breath, pain or discomfort in the jaw or neck and feeling weak.

 

Stroke- occurs when the blood flow to a part of the brain is cut off. There are two types of stroke, ischemic and hemorrhagic.

 

  • Ischemic- blockage of blood flow

 

  • Hemorrhagic- rupture of a blood vessel

 

Arrhythmia

Arrhythmia- This is an abnormal rhythm of the heart and can affect how well the heart works. The heart can beat too slow or too fast, bradycardia is when the heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute and  tachycardia is when the heart rate is more than 100 beats per minute.

 

Heart failure- Is a serious condition that develops over time. It doesn’t mean that the heart has stopped working, it means the heart isn’t pumping blood as well as it should. The heart keeps working, but the body’s need for blood and oxygen isn’t being met. (3) Symptoms include shortness of breath, trouble breathing while laying down and swelling in the feet.

 

If you have any symptoms that could lead to these diseases, you will want to seek medical attention immediately. Tests will be performed and treatment such as surgery and medication will be discussed. In addition, you will need to make lifestyle changes such as incorporating exercise and eating a healthy diet.

 

What are the risk factors for developing CVD?

Primary risk factors increase the chances of developing CVD. They are commonly classified as either modifiable like smoking and high blood pressure or non-modifiable such as having a parent with CVD.

 

Regular physical inactivity has a positive impact on every modifiable risk factor for CVD, such as:

 

  • High blood pressure: Regular aerobic activities can lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure 5-10 mmHg, which translates into a 10- to 20-percent reduction in heart attack risk.

 

  • Cigarette smoking: Smokers who become physically active are more likely to stop smoking or at least reduce the amount they smoke.

 

  • Diabetes: Regular aerobic activity has a profound effect on improving resting blood sugar levels and reducing the complications associated with diabetes.

 

  • High cholesterol: Individuals who perform regular aerobic activity lower their bad cholesterol (LDL), levels while simultaneously significantly increasing their good cholesterol (HDL) levels.

 

  • Obesity: Although regular aerobic physical is associated with moderate weight loss (e.g., a reduction of approximately 5 percent in body weight), this amount of weight loss is associated with positive changes in blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. (4)

 

If you have CVD, you will need your physician’s clearance to exercise. Once cleared, you can exercise with modifications as needed. It is important to perform a proper warm up and cool down and never exercise the point of dizziness, nausea or fatigue. If you have any of these symptoms, you should stop exercising immediately and call your doctor. Also take care as to what weather conditions you are performing exercise. For example, if it is a very hot and humid day, it is not recommended that you exercise outdoors.

 

A few other things…

 

  • Eat more fresh fruit and vegetables while limiting foods high in saturated fat
  • Eat a low sodium diet
  • Perform aerobic exercise at least 3 – 5 times a week for 30 minutes a day
  • Add 2 or more days a week of resistance training to strengthen muscles
  • Stop smoking
  • Limit alcohol consumption

 

Be sure to read some of our previous blogs here and here for additional information.

 

Whether you already have CVD, have risks for it or are trying to prevent CVD, a healthy lifestyle can make all the difference. If you need some help getting started with your healthy lifestyle, contact us.

 

BabyBoom CTA.1

 

References:

 

  1. “Types of Cardiovascular Disease”. Accessed 20, December 2015. Emory Healthcare. Advancingyourhealth.org. http://advancingyourhealth.org/heartblog/2015/09/07/types-of-cardiovascular-disease/
  2. “Types of Cardiovascular Disease”. Accessed 20, December 2015. NY State Department of Health. https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/cardiovascular/heart_disease/types_of_cv.htm
  3. “What is Cardiovascular Disease?”. Accessed 20, December 2015. American Heart Association. Heart.org. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Caregiver/Resources/WhatisCardiovascularDisease/What-is-Cardiovascular-Disease_UCM_301852_Article.jsp#.VnrMrvkrLre
  4. “Exercising with Coronary Heart Disease”. Accessed 27, December 2015. The American College of Sports Medicine. https://www.acsm.org/public-information/articles/2012/01/19/exercising-with-coronary-heart-disease
  5. Image courtesy of Naypong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

Brent

Brent

President, Personal Training Manager at Body By Brent LLC
Brent
Brent
Brent