Heart Health 101 – What you need to know

How healthy is your heart? In recognition of American Heart Month which takes place each February, we’re diving into the basics of heart health, including:

• Types of cardiovascular disease
• Risk factors
• What hypertension is 
• Diagnosis
• Treatment options and tips to keep your heart healthy.

While you may have heard about different types of diseases related to the heart and blood vessels, it can be easy to get confused between different terms and meanings.

As outlined by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), here is a simple breakdown of the most common terms related to cardiovascular disease you should be aware of:

• Cardiovascular disease: the general term used for all diseases related to the heart and blood vessels.
• Heart disease: a term that includes a variety of diseases—including coronary heart disease—that affect how the heart functions and is structured.
• Coronary heart disease (also known as coronary artery disease): a common form of heart disease that develops as plaque builds up in the arteries, which reduces the amount of oxygenated blood flow to the heart and can lead to chest pain, blood clots, and heart attack.

However, there are several other types of cardiovascular disease, including but not limited to arrhythmia (abnormal heart rate/rhythm), valve disease (issues sending blood from one chamber to another), and congenital heart disease (which people are born with).

The NHLBI also shares several notable statistics on cardiovascular disease, including:

• Over 800,000 people in the United States die from cardiovascular disease each year.
• Over 10% of American adults have been diagnosed with some form of heart disease.
• Around 366,000 American adults die from coronary heart disease each year.

Since cardiovascular disease affects so many American adults each year, it is important to be aware of its associated risk factors and symptoms to reduce your risk of developing serious health issues.

The Cleveland Clinic shares that the following risk factors may increase the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease:

• Hypertension (which we will discuss below)
• High cholesterol
• Tobacco use and/or excessive alcohol intake
• Diets that are high in sugar, fat, and sodium
• A lack of movement/exercise
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases
• Kidney disease
• A family history of heart disease

When we talk about cardiovascular health, it is also essential to discuss blood pressure. As the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) explains, blood pressure is the pressure of blood that pushes against artery walls, and arteries are responsible for moving blood from the heart to other body parts.

While the CDC notes that blood pressure typically changes throughout the day, chronic high blood pressure—also known as hypertension—increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.

It is important to know if your blood pressure is consistently high, so you can begin a treatment plan as soon as possible to protect your health. Unfortunately, the CDC notes that only a quarter of adults with hypertension have it under control.

Also, while high blood pressure is common in adults in the United States, the CDC shares that men have a higher risk than women (at 50 percent compared to 44 percent for women) at developing hypertension.

First, it is worth noting that symptoms vary from one cardiovascular disease to the next. However, the most common signs of cardiovascular issues include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and/or difficulty breathing. If you experience these or similar symptoms, be sure to consult your doctor immediately—or in serious, life-threatening cases, dial 911.

In any case, doctors diagnose cardiovascular disease by discussing your symptoms, medical history, and family health history. From there, they will also perform a physical exam and conduct appropriate tests based on your unique medical record, which the Cleveland Clinic shares may include:

• Blood tests (to gauge cholesterol and proteins)
• Electrocardiogram (EKG) to gauge your heart’s electrical activity.
• Cardiac CT scan to get a visual of your heart and blood vessels via X-rays.
• Cardiac MRI to get a visual of your heart using magnets and radio waves.
• Stress tests to see how your heart responds to stressors.

Of course, it is incredibly important to live a healthy lifestyle throughout the course of your life to reduce your risk of developing any types of disease, including those related to cardiovascular health.

In order to protect yourself from cardiovascular disease, the NHLBI recommends:

• Limiting sodium intake
• Increasing the amount of fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains in your diet
• Maintaining physical activity and exercising regularly
• Managing your weight within healthy ranges
• Avoiding tobacco use
• Practicing stress management techniques
• Getting enough sleep (at least seven hours) each night

While all of these are best practices to prevent cardiovascular disease and hypertension, those who are already affected should also follow these protocols. However, treatment plans may also include:

• Taking prescription medications
• Getting stents or heart surgeries as necessary
• Cardiac rehabilitation (monitored diet changes and exercise)
• Consistently monitoring heart activity

If you fall under any of the risk factors or experience symptoms as outlined above, be sure to discuss your options for diagnostic testing (and treatment as needed) with your doctor.

Related Articles:

What is My Heart Age?

Top Risk Factors for Heart Disease