Keep your ticker in tune
by Jessica Hollis
Issue date: 2/8/10 Section: Connections
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States of America. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that about every 25 seconds an American will suffer from a coronary event.
There are many diseases/conditions that put your heart at risk for such attacks.
These are diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, secondhand smoke and tobacco use.
Individuals with such characteristics are recommended to be cautious due to the possibility of a heart attack.
Heart attacks may be both sudden and intense or they may begin slowly, lowering an individual's chances of realizing what is actually happening.
Being aware of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack may increase the chances of reaching help in time.
"According to the CDC most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain."
Also, this discomfort may take place in upper areas of the body such as the arms, neck, stomach, back and jaw.
Shortness of breath, breaking out in cold sweat, lightheadedness and nausea are other signs of a heart attack.
A healthy diet and lifestyle are the best weapons you have to fight heart disease, according to the CDC.
It is recommended that individuals choose lean meats without any added sodium, select fat-free or low-fat dairy products, and reduce the intake of trans fat and foods with high cholesterol.
The CDC also suggests reducing amounts of sugars consumed in beverages, minimizing the amount of salt within food, lowering portion sizes, and drinking alcohol in moderation.
Taking part in exercise and maintaining good personal fitness is also a must in preventing any type of heart disease.
It's recommended that individuals should uphold a continuous exercise routine to stay in shape and keep moving.
According to the CDC Physical activity in your daily life is an important step to preventing heart disease.
There are many diseases/conditions that put your heart at risk for such attacks.
These are diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, secondhand smoke and tobacco use.
Individuals with such characteristics are recommended to be cautious due to the possibility of a heart attack.
Heart attacks may be both sudden and intense or they may begin slowly, lowering an individual's chances of realizing what is actually happening.
Being aware of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack may increase the chances of reaching help in time.
"According to the CDC most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain."
Also, this discomfort may take place in upper areas of the body such as the arms, neck, stomach, back and jaw.
Shortness of breath, breaking out in cold sweat, lightheadedness and nausea are other signs of a heart attack.
A healthy diet and lifestyle are the best weapons you have to fight heart disease, according to the CDC.
It is recommended that individuals choose lean meats without any added sodium, select fat-free or low-fat dairy products, and reduce the intake of trans fat and foods with high cholesterol.
The CDC also suggests reducing amounts of sugars consumed in beverages, minimizing the amount of salt within food, lowering portion sizes, and drinking alcohol in moderation.
Taking part in exercise and maintaining good personal fitness is also a must in preventing any type of heart disease.
It's recommended that individuals should uphold a continuous exercise routine to stay in shape and keep moving.
According to the CDC Physical activity in your daily life is an important step to preventing heart disease.
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