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Heart Disease: The Silent Killer

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Heart disease is the number one killer in the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. It not only affects men, women and children, but future generations. It is known to be hereditary, because family members can pass certain traits down generations through their own genes. Heart disease is a broad term that has numerous complications that affect the heart's muscle, valves or rhythm. The most common conditions that increase heart disease is high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes.
High blood pressure is one of the many conditions related to heart disease and is commonly referred to as the silent killer, because there are no symptoms. This is why doctors and nurses advise patients to make appointments regularly to …show more content…

The way high blood pressure occurs is when your “blood moves through your arteries at a higher pressure than normal” (Staff). The way the heart functions is complex, but works together to keep pumping blood. “Your blood pressure rises with each heartbeat and falls when your heart relaxes between beats. While it can change from minute to minute with changes in posture, exercise, stress or sleep, it should normally be less than 120/80 mm Hg for women age 20 or over” (American Heart Association). Statistics show that normal evaluated blood pressure is “less than 120 systolic and less than 80 diastolic”, high blood pressure (Hypertension) Stage 1 is “130-139 systolic or 80-89 diastolic”, high blood pressure (Hypertension) Stage 2 is “140 or higher systolic or 90 or higher diastolic” and hypertensive crisis is “higher than 180 and/or higher than 120 diastolic” (American Heart Association). It is important to monitor yourself for future health concerns on whether you have high blood pressure. There are two types of high blood pressure; primary hypertension and secondary hypertension. Primary hypertension, also known as essential hypertension is when “there is no known cause for your high blood pressure”, which is the most common (Staff). It takes years to develop, because it can be the cause of someone’s lifestyle, …show more content…

Obesity is defined as having too much body fat and happens over time. Having too much body fat can risk your chances of heart disease, arthritis, strokes, and more. “In 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults aged 18 years and older were overweight. Of these over 650 million adults were obese” (Obese and Overweight). As new technology advances fast food becomes easier to produce, thus making the population become obese and overweight. The symptoms that one may experience when they are obese is trouble sleeping, shortness of breath, skin problems, sleep apnea, and osteoarthritis. Obesity can be caused by someone’s lifestyle and environment; it can be avoided and treated. There are ways to control obesity and find out if your waistline increases so you will know if you are at risk of heart disease. For example, “you can measure yourself with a measuring tape. You may need a partner to help you measure accurately. The measurement should be taken at the belly line. A high-risk waistline is 35 inches or higher for women and 40 inches or higher for men” (Scott). Also, you can estimate your BMI (body mass index). To calculate your BMI: “multiply your weight in pounds by 703, divide that answer by your height in inches, and divide that answer by your height in inches again” (Obesity Guide). “Preventing obesity is important. Once fat cells form, they remain in your body forever. Although you can reduce the size of fat cells,

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