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Heart disease, also known as coronary heart disease or CHD, occurs when the heart's coronary arteries are constricted due to the accumulation of plaque. The narrowing and blockage of the arteries by plaque is called atherosclerosis. Coronary heart disease is the most common form of the disease, and it affects upwards of 13 million Americans every year. Coronary heart disease is the single greatest cause of death for both men and women in the United States, eclipsing all other causes, including HIV, cancer and lung disease. You may not be aware, but each year more than a half of a million Americans die of coronary heart disease.
Coronary heart disease, at it's most severe, leads to heart failure. When your heart loses the ability to pump enough blood through your body, heart failure occurs. The severity of the heart disease depends on how much of the heart's capacity to pump blood has been lost. While a mild heart failure may have little effect on your life, severe heart failure can make even everyday activities difficult and can often lead to death. You may not be aware of a startling statistic that reveals half of all patients diagnosed with heart failure will die within five years of the initial diagnosis. Almost five million Americans experience heart failure, the main reason why heart disease is such a chronic condition in the United States.
What are the symptoms of heart disease? The symptoms of heart disease vary according to the type and severity of heart disease. Unfortunately, many heart diseases cause no symptoms early on in their diagnosis. When symptoms of heart disease occur, they usually vary from person to person. Symptoms of heart disease can include chest pains, shortness of breath, weakness and fatigue, or fainting. If you have any of these heart disease symptoms, time is of the essence. You should visit your doctor immediately to diagnose the problem.
What can be done to control this silent killer? First of all, if you smoke, this article should give you a great reason to quit. Smoking is a major cause of heart disease and it is a totally unnecessary habit. Your goal should be to completely quit smoking and limit your everyday exposure to secondhand smoke, which recent studies have indicated is just as dangerous. You can also take steps to control your blood pressure by making healthy lifestyle choices. Eat smart, reduce the amount of salt in your diet, eat more fruits and vegetables, avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and maintain a steady regimen of physical activity. Adults should have at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity every day of the week. For an eating plan, your goal should be to match your calorie intake with your body's need for energy. Saturated fats and trans fats should be avoided. For those at a higher risk of coronary heart disease, a low dose aspirin can be taken regularly with your doctor's approval.
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