by Sue Moroney, RN
Cardiovascular disease or heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, and women In the United States. In 2022, 1 in every 5 deaths in the United States was caused by heart disease. One person dies every 33 seconds from cardiovascular disease (National Center for Health Statistics, CDC)
Risk factors for heart disease include high blood pressure, the leading cause of heart disease, as well as high blood cholesterol and smoking. Higher risk for heart disease also occurs when the individual has any of the following:
- Being overweight and obesity
- Diabetes (type 1)
Lifestyle Choices also increase the risk of heart disease, including:
- Excessive alcohol intake
- Unhealthy diet
- Physical inactivity
Hypertension, or high blood pressure is the leading cause of heart disease. Almost half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, which is often undetected and puts the individuals at risk for heart disease and stroke.
According to the CDC, approximately one in 20 adults has coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common form of heart disease. CAD occurs when the arteries supplying blood to the heart become narrowed by plaque. Plaque contains cholesterol, fat and other substances which builds up over time leading to blocked blood flow to the arteries. As the plaque builds up inside the arteries, the walls of the artery become thickened and stiff, decreasing the flow of blood
A heart attack or myocardial infarction may occur if the blood flow to an artery in the heart is blocked. A heart attack occurs every 40 seconds.
- About 1 in 5 heart attacks are silent—the damage is done, but the person is not aware of it
Prevention:
- A healthy diet which includes limiting saturated fat like high-fat dairy, fatty meat, and processed foods. Instead, increase fiber with fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Lean meat, fish and poultry, eggs and low-fat dairy products, nuts and seeds are some of the best sources of protein. Beans, peas, and lentils- are also good, low-fat sources of protein and contain no cholesterol, making them good substitutes for meat.
- Increase physical exercise to 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week
- Get adequate sleep. Adults need at least 7-9 hours of quality sleep to support heart health. Sleep disturbance caused by conditions such as insomnia, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome are linked to increased cardiovascular disease.
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Stop smoking and avoid second-hand smoke. Nonsmokers are up to 30% more likely to develop heart disease or lung cancer from secondhand smoke exposure at home or work, according to a U.S. Surgeon General report.
Following the prevention guidelines can reduce our risk of heart disease, leading to a long and fulfilling life.
