Medically reviewed by Jocelyn Hermanson MSN, RN, COC, CPC, CRC
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Medically reviewed by Jocelyn Hermanson MSN, RN, COC, CPC, CRC
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. While the term “heart disease” encompasses a range of conditions, coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common. It's characterized by the narrowing of arteries due to plaque buildup. This buildup can block blood flow, potentially leading to a complete blockage and triggering a heart attack.
Understanding heart disease, its risk factors, and management strategies is crucial for promoting heart health and well-being.
Let’s explore the facts about heart disease and clear up common misconceptions about the disease and treatments. If you’re concerned about
Myth: The only way to treat heart disease is through medication or surgery.
Reality: While medication and surgery play a role, lifestyle modifications are very important in managing heart disease. A heart-healthy diet and regular exercise are also great ways to keep your heart healthy.
Myth: Angioplasty, stenting, or bypass surgery will completely fix your heart.
Reality: These procedures can help with chest pain (angina) and improve quality of life, but they don't address the underlying cause, atherosclerosis. Without lifestyle changes, arteries will continue to clog with plaque.
Myth: You'll always know when you're having a heart attack because of chest pain.
Reality: While chest pain is a common symptom, heart attacks can happen with subtle signs, particularly in women. Recognizing symptoms is important for getting help as soon as possible.
The heart, a muscular organ beneath the rib cage, pumps blood through the body using a network of blood vessels. These vessels include:
The heart has four chambers: the right atrium, left atrium, right ventricle, and left ventricle. Four valves (pulmonary, tricuspid, aortic, and mitral) regulate blood flow between these chambers. This intricate system works together to ensure efficient blood circulation, delivering oxygen and nutrients to every part of the body.
Heart disease impairs the heart's ability to pump blood effectively and keeps blood flowing freely through vessels. Damaged vessels make the heart work harder. Coronary artery disease occurs when arteries supplying blood to the heart become hardened and narrowed due to plaque buildup.
Cholesterol, along with other substances, forms thick deposits inside arteries, leading to atherosclerosis. If a blood clot blocks a narrowed artery, a heart attack or stroke happens, depriving the heart or brain of oxygen-rich blood. Over time, coronary artery disease can weaken the heart muscle, potentially leading to heart failure (the heart's inability to pump enough blood) or arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).
While there's no cure for heart disease, its progression can be managed through lifestyle changes. CAD is the most common type of heart disease, but other forms include heart arrhythmias, congenital heart defects, heart infections, and valvular heart disease.
Cholesterol, a fatty substance traveling in the bloodstream, can contribute to plaque buildup. Understanding the different types of cholesterol is vital because they aren’t all the same.
Interpreting cholesterol test results can be confusing. Here’s a quick at-a-glance table to help explain normal and abnormal levels.
| Total Cholesterol | LDL Cholesterol |
Desirable | Below 200 mg/dL | Below 100 mg/dL |
Borderline High | 200-239 mg/dL
| 130-159 mg/dl |
High | 240 mg/dL and above | 160-189 mg/dl |
Very High |
| 190 mg/dl and above |
| HDL cholesterol |
Poor | Men – Below 40 mg/dL Women – Below 50mg/dL |
Better | Better (Men): 40-49 mg/dL Better (Women): 50-59 mg/dL |
Best | 60 mg/dL and above |
Triglycerides for both men and women are ideal below 150 mg/dL. A level above 200 mg/dL is considered high. Seniors may want to discuss any results and target ranges with healthcare providers.
If a doctor suspects heart disease or you’re experiencing symptoms that may indicate a heart problem, several diagnostic tests can help detect any real problems with your heart. Most tests are non-invasive and painless and may simply involve a monitor to record the heart’s activity.
Treatment for coronary artery disease aims to relieve symptoms, prevent complications, reduce the risk of heart attack, halt or reverse plaque buildup, and widen or bypass clogged arteries. Understanding risk factors is key to prevention and management. Risk factors are both controllable and uncontrollable.
Uncontrollable risk factors:
Controllable risk factors:
Other contributing factors include stress, excessive alcohol consumption, and an unhealthy diet. Making heart-healthy lifestyle changes is essential for managing heart disease. A basic healthy lifestyle begins with:
Healthcare providers may prescribe medications to manage risk factors or treat underlying causes. A few of the possible medications your doctor may talk to you about include:
Advanced heart disease may require procedures to ease chest pain or clear blockages:
Cardiac rehab is a special program that helps people get stronger and healthier after having heart problems like a heart attack, heart surgery, or other heart treatments. The program includes exercise, education, and counseling. Most insurance plans, including Medicare, help pay for cardiac rehab. Taking care of your heart means working closely with your doctor and other healthcare helpers. Some important parts of this are:
Knowing the warning signs of a heart attack and getting help right away can save your life. The signs can be different for each person, but many people feel chest pain or discomfort, have trouble breathing, feel sick to their stomach, get dizzy or lightheaded, or break out in a cold sweat. Chest pain is the most common sign of a heart attack. However, women are more likely to feel shortness of breath, nausea, or pain that spreads to the back, jaw, or arm. If you or someone else has these signs, call 911 right away.
Take action now to build a heart-healthy lifestyle. Begin by scheduling an appointment with your primary care doctor, who can help evaluate your diet, activity level, and heart risks. Set a SMART goal to improve your
Disclaimers:
This blog is based on insights shared in Conviva Presents: Understanding heart disease,
Content contained on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new fitness or dietary plan. References are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement of any website or other sources. For any health-related questions, contact your healthcare provider.
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