What Do We Know About the Scope and Impact of the Number One Killer of Americans?
Annually, heart attacks take the lives of one million men and women in the United States. Heart disease does not discriminate between the sexes. Before women started entering the work force, statistics showed that heart attack related deaths were more prevalent among men. However, the stats show us today that women are just as likely to be susceptible to heart attacks as men are. In 2020, it is anticipated that heart disease will become the leading cause of deaths throughout the world. Experts have described the pre-cursor symptoms to look for in determining if someone is having a heart attack; however, determining whether or not a person is going to have a heart attack is tricky. They often mimic symptoms of conditions that are less threatening to the body, such as heat exhaustion, pinched nerves, gastrointestinal problems, the flu, and panic attacks.
A number of people who have suffered or died from heart attacks were not aware that they were going to have one. So – What are we going to do about it? They say that an aspirin a day will keep the doctor away. The chemical properties of aspirin are known for thinning the blood. This allows blood to circulate throughout the body, even if the person has clogged arteries. Lifestyle changes can be very difficult to make, especially if you have been engaging in unhealthy habits for a long period of time. Diet and exercise have proven to be excellent preventative measures. A nutritious diet low in fat, especially saturated fat, and sodium can reduce the risk of fat building up in the arteries and can moderate blood pressure levels. Remember that the good cholesterol (HDLs) is our friend because these fats help in reducing the level of bad cholesterol, otherwise known as LDL’s. Exercise plays a major role in regulating blood pressure, and reducing cholesterol levels. Make sure to include an exercise regimen in your weekly schedule. Fitness experts say that a minimum of s thirty minutes of cardiovascular exercise three times a week is ideal. Cardiovascular exercises such as aerobics, bicycling, hiking, walking, swimming, playing sports etc… contribute to aiding the body with proper levels of oxygen and regulated blood flow.
Doctors strongly encourage patients with heart problems to quit smoking because it is one of the major culprits that causes heart attacks. Smoking lowers the good cholesterol in the body, otherwise known as HDL and aids in increasing plaque buildup in the arteries. Nicotine has been known to constrict blood vessels which significantly reduce the flow of blood throughout the body. Control your temper and keep the stress level down. Anger and rage have been known to increase the heart rate and blood pressure level. Have you ever noticed that when people rage, their face and neck start turning bright red? That happens because their emotions are telling the body that it needs to be in “fight mode,” so the body makes the necessary adjustments. Stress also aids in keeping the body in that alert state which impacts blood circulation and other internal processes.
Making major life-altering changes and developing healthy habits can be difficult to accomplish, especially when you are bombarded with commercials depicting juicy burgers and steaks and such. Once the new lifestyle changes have become a normal part of your everyday routine, you will feel better and will be less inclined to engage in those old nasty, unhealthy habits. Participating in a couple yoga and meditation classes here and there can help you regulate your breathing and relax.