Coronary Heart Disease: A Leading Killer

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in the United States, causing about 610,000 deaths yearly (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). Cardiovascular disease is defined as a group of disorders damaging the heart and blood vessels, usually involving the blockage of vessels, which in turn harm the heart (WHO, 2015). A 2011 American Heart Association statement predicted that without intervention, 40% of United States adults will have at least one form of Cardiovascular disease by 2030. A large portion of these deaths by cardiovascular disease is due to the sedentary population. To better prevent cardiovascular disease, the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Advisory Committee stated that adults should complete about 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity physical activity weekly (Barry, Blair, Church, Hooker, Sui, Warren, 2010). Research has shown that meeting these recommendations is linked with lower cardiovascular disease risk, as well as reduced risk of mortality. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that only about 20.3% of Americans meet these guidelines. These statistics show that the majority of the United States population does not get nearly the amount of physical activity they need. However, even though many people are not doing the recommended amount of physical activity, this may not mean that they are living a sedentary life. Living a sedentary lifestyle is

Symptoms may start as a mild discomfort which will ultimately progress to significant pain, and will last for 30 minutes or longer and are not relieved by oral medications or rest. Heart attack symptoms include:

A heart attack occurs when the oxygenated blood that typically flows to the heart muscle is severely reduced or cut off. This happens because the coronary arteries that supply the heart with blood slowly become narrow from built up plaque. If a piece of plaque breaks off, a blood clot typically forms around the plaque and the clot can block the blood flow through the heart. When blood flow is blocked, the muscles of the heart becomes starved for oxygen and nutrients, this is known as ischemia. Because the body needs oxygen to carry out vital life processes, ischemia can cause damage or death to parts of the heart muscles. When damage occurs it is called a heart attack or myocardial infarction (American Heart

Nevertheless, there is an understandable and noticeable link between circulatory related diseases and lifestyle diseases, such as Coronary Heart Disease. Coronary heart disease can occur when fatty acids, such as cholesterol in an inadequate diet, build up in the walls of the coronary artery. These fatty deposits collect minerals and harden to become a plaque. Eventually, this plaque grows and can swells up, forming an aneurism. In some cases, this aneurism may burst leading to instant death. As it continues to grow and swell up, it finally blocks the artery completely and forms blood clots. This is known as coronary thrombosis. A myocardial infarction, or in other words as heart attack, occurs when no oxygen is able to reach the coronary artery and thus it is unable to fulfil its role in providing the heart muscle with a sufficient supply of blood. Heart attacks are very common in the society nowadays, especially occurring in smokers or obesity related diseases (Millar, June 2014)

Most of the conditions in cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by methods like identifying the symptoms and maintaining a healthy lifestyle (Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention). Symptoms of cardiovascular diseases can vary depending on the severeness of the condition itself. Symptoms may include chest discomfort, shortness of breath, swelling, weakness, dizziness, and/or pain and numbness in parts of the body (MedicineNet.com). If one experiences these symptoms, it is best to seek medical advice on what to do next. Chest discomfort can include chest pain, fluttering in the heart, and chest tightness (Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention). Pain near

Cardiovascular disease is a substantial concern and has emerged as one of the leading health issues. In examining cardiovascular disease, its incidence is astounding. Each year approximately one million men and women die, averaging one death every thirty three seconds (Heart, 2013).The death rate for cardiovascular issues such as myocardial infarction and CHF claim more lives than cancer and Aids combined. Heart disease will be the number one cause of death by the

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and also one of the most preventable. In 2005, the total number of cardiovascular disease deaths had increased globally to 17.5 million from 14.4 million since 1990. Symptoms and triggers of this disease consist of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cigarette smoking, diabetes, poor diet, physical inactivity, and obesity. Over time, these risk factors cause changes in the heart and blood vessels that can lead to heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes. By 2013, 614,348 people died in the United States from heart disease, in my opinion that almost sounds like a pandemic.

The heart is an organ that pumps blood from the body and maintains all the organs functioning to keep one alive; when one of the arteries that receive blood is blocked it can cause a heart attack or myocardial infarction (MI). “During a heart attack, the heart muscle (the myocardium) is damaged, and part of it die from lack of blood” (book, p. 429).

Coronary artery disease (CAD), also known as coronary heart disease, is the leading cause of mortality in both men and women in the United States today. It has been reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that CAD accounted for nearly 616,000 deaths in 2011 and was responsible for 1 in 4 deaths in the U.S. in the same year. 1 Coronary artery disease is a progressive disease where the major arterial vessels supplying the heart become occluded and sclerotic due to the buildup of plaque in the inner walls of the artery through a process called atherosclerosis. 2 CAD eventually leads to heart failure and a myocardial infarction (MI).

CHD is the most common type of cardiovascular disease [2] and was the leading cause of death globally between 2000 and 2012 [3] – accounting for 14.6% of all deaths in Australia in 2011 (21,513 persons) and 7.8% of all disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in Australasia in 2010 (471,550 DALYs) [4]. In 2011-12, CHD was estimated to affect 585,900 Australians, with the condition being more common in men (3.3%) than women (2.0%) and among those aged 70 and over (15% compared with 2.2% for those aged 25-69) [4]. In 2008-09 more than $2 billion was spent on CHD treatment and expenses – more than any other disease in Australia [5].

Any condition which hinders or prevents proper blood circulation to the heart and body, is considered a heart disease. The heart, whose function is to propel blood to all the body is primarily responsible for a long and healthy life, when well maintained. Unfortunately, due to today’s society habits, such as poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, stress and excessive use of toxic substances such as tobacco, cardiovascular disease is the number one problem in the country (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). Through my Community Health Assessment project I could identify heart disease as the number one cause of death, and a big community issue that can’t be overlooked. In 2014, 3 out of 10 people in Florida died of a cardiovascular disease,

Women, instead, have the most common symptom of fatigue. Women experience a heart attack differently; they typically experience symptoms one month before or sooner, unlike the immediacy of chest pain for men (Longley). Before a myocardial infarction, women experience unusual fatigue, sleep disturbances, shortness of breath, indigestion, and anxiety (Longley). During, most women don’t have the sharp, sudden chest pain. Instead, they continue feeling a shortness of breath, more unusual fatigue, cold sweats, weakness, and dizziness (Longley). “Many people are well aware that chest pain is a warning of potential life-threatening disorders (Porter 31),” but as stated before, chest pain is the typical male symptom. “With men, often the first sign of heart disease is a heart attack itself, or at least a distinct tightening or squeezing in the chest upon exertion. Women’s first warning signs are often much more subtle: shortness of breath or fatigue when engaging in activities that used to be easy, or even a feeling of mild indigestion (Nelson 17).” The warning signs for women come sooner, but are much more subtle, which is the other part of the problem.

Heart disease has been commonly deemed as a “man’s plague”. However, according to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the no. 1 killer of women. In fact, studies show that one in three women die from heart disease each year ("Heart disease statistics,”).

Heart attack symptoms can vary quite a bit and that makes it difficult to tell if it is a heart attack or something else. But, watch out for these warning signs of a heart attack: • Sudden pressure in the chest area, severe pain, sensation of squeezing and tightening in the chest • Pain or discomfort in the upper body which radiates to the back, neck, stomach, shoulders, and arms - especially the left arm • Shortness of breath which could be accompanied by discomfort in the chest • Sweating, dizziness, nausea, and light headedness What else can cause chest pain? A muscle spasm in the esophagus or pain in the gall bladder can also cause chest

There are many different symptoms that can occur when you are either having a heart attack or about to have a heart attack. You should always know the signs just in case you or someone you know is having a heart attack. One of the most common symptom is you will begin to feel chest pain and discomfort. Unfortunately this discomfort usually last for a few minutes and can come back a few minutes later. The different kinds of discomfort that you will feel in your chest can range from pressure, fullness, or even squeezing. Another likely symptom is loss or shortness of breath. It may become hard to breathe, this is always a good sign that something is wrong and you need to call 911 or someone for help. If you also feel discomfort in the arms and legs that may also be a sign that you are having a heart attack. Other places that may become a bit discomfortable may be the back, shoulders, neck, back, and even the upper stomach. Remember to call 911 if you feel any of the symptoms listed above because you can save your life and also stop the damage to your heart muscle. That is why you and people you know should always know the different symptoms of a heart attack to stay alert and also to stay alive. Other factors that you can 't do anything about is your age. Age is a big