Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. It literally kills 1 person every 35 seconds. This disease does not discriminate. It can affect anyone, anywhere. Heart disease has many variables. The causes can be inherited through genetics or from poor lifestyle choices. It can be a lifelong condition, or it can attack at a moments notice. In modern times, heart disease has been brought to the forefront. And although it is a leading cause of death, it is not only treatable, but preventable. Being informed about this disease is the first step to a heart health.

Heart disease is a blanket term for a variety of cardiovascular conditions. Each of these conditions will either affect the heart or the veins and arteries that carry the blood that is pumped from the heart. Cardiovascular diseases are diseases that affect the body’s blood vessels and arteries. An example of this disease would be atherosclerosis. Cardiomyopathy is a disease that affects the heart muscle itself. Another common heart related disease is hypertension (high blood pressure). Inflammatory heart disease is the inflammation of the heart muscle and tissues. Ischemic heart disease is a reduced supply of blood to the organs of the body. There is also heart failure. This is a term used when the heart is not working to its potential. An example this is congestive heart failure (CHF). Any of these conditions, in the right circumstances, can be fatal.

Congenital heart disease is a type of birth defect. It is a disease that is caused by a defect to the heart and blood vessels. This occurs during fetal development. The causes are unknown. It may be hereditary, or due to exposure to drugs, alcohol, or infections. Those with congenital heart disease may experience problems at any time during their lives.

Understanding heart health is very important. It can directly affect the quality of life for each of us. It is important to not only understand the different types of heart disease, but to prevent it from occurring in the first place. If we are already afflicted with a heart condition, we can improve our health by following a heart healthy lifestyle. The way that we do this is through information, education, and action.

Becoming informed can be as simple as knowing your family history of heart disease, and seeing your family physician. By getting a physical and explaining your health history, and your family’s health history, our doctor can begin to get the “big picture” of your heart health. Basic testing that will assess your heart health includes cholesterol tests, and EKG’s. Know your numbers.

Once you become informed, you can begin to educate yourself. You will receive a lot of that education from your family physician, but you can also explore other areas to understand what everything means. You can learn a lot by exploring utilizing various types of media. Attending educational seminars is also a great way to learn and ask questions.

Lifestyle changes and dietary changes are usually the first step toward heart health. It is not only affective for the treatment of heart disease, but also for prevention. Dietary changes can make a big difference. If one follows some simple guidelines, they will find themselves less likely to develop heart disease. The first guideline is to limit certain types of fats and cholesterol in your diet. The “bad” types of fats include saturated and Trans fats. “Good” fats include: olive oil, canola oil, and cholesterol lowering margarines. We should also change the type of grains that we eat. Whole grains are always the best choice. Whole grains are high in fiber and improve your blood pressure and general heart health. Adding a lot of fruits and vegetables into your diet will provide the body with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Fruits and vegetables are also low in calories. Another great dietary change is in the type of proteins you choose. Choosing lean cuts of meat, fish and poultry is essential for heart health. Low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese are a great way of getting protein. A good substitute for meat can be found in legumes. Salt is bad for your blood pressure. Lowering your salt intake is important. You can substitute salt with other types of herbs and spices. Other dietary tips include: keeping a food diary, eating smaller portions, and creating daily menus.

Exercise is another great way to improve your heart health. Aerobic exercises that increase your heart rate should be done for 20 to 30 minutes at least 3 times per week. Examples of these types of exercise include: walking, jogging, swimming, and low-impact aerobics. Make sure you always stretch and gradually work up to a routine. Cardiovascular exercises improve your circulation, blood pressure, and general heart health.

A healthy heart is essential for optimal health. It is important to implement lifestyle and dietary change in order to prevent heart disease.