American Heart Month has been observed every February since 1964 and emphasizes reducing the risk factors that cause heart disease. According to the CDC, 702,880 people in the United States died from heart disease in 2022. It is the leading cause of death for men and women throughout the U.S. and occurs in all ethnic and racial groups. Certain areas of the United States have a higher rate of heart disease. Healthline reports the states of Oklahoma, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Michigan have the highest death rates from heart disease. This widespread disease takes a huge financial toll on the nation and—between 2019 and 2020—cost approximately $252.2 billion for treatment, medication, and lost workplace productivity.
The heart is a complex organ with multiple parts. It contains four chambers (two upper atria and two lower ventricles) that pump blood through the body, four valves that move blood in the proper direction, vessels (such as arteries and veins) that transport blood, and an electrical conduction system that causes the heart muscle to squeeze. The Mayo Clinic defines heart disease by the areas affected. These include blood vessel disease, such as coronary artery disease (CAD), irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), congenital heart defects that are present at birth, disease of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy), and heart valve disease.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) reports the most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease, and 1 in 20 adults over the age of 20 have CAD. It is caused by a buildup of plaque in the arteries that feed the heart muscle. This leads to a narrowing of the arteries, reduces blood and oxygen flow to the heart, and eventually causes a heart attack. The CDC reports 805,000 people annually in the United States, which is approximately 1 every 40 seconds, have a heart attack—also known as a myocardial infarction (MI). The major symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain, pressure, or squeezing; pain in the jaw, neck, back, or shoulders; feeling weak or lightheaded; cold sweats; shortness of breath; nausea or vomiting; and unexplained tiredness. These symptoms necessitate an immediate call to 9-1-1.
Irregular heartbeats, also called arrhythmias, can have multiple causes. The Mayo Clinic indicates illegal drugs, excessive alcohol or caffeine use, smoking, emotional stress, and some medications, herbs, and supplements can affect the rate and rhythm of the heart. Other causes include high blood pressure, diabetes, CAD, and heart defects that occur during fetal development.
Other heart diseases highlighted by the Mayo Clinic include cardiomyopathy and heart valve disease. Cardiomyopathy, which affects the heart muscle and it's ability to pump blood, can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, fatigue, dizziness, abdominal bloating, and swelling of the legs, ankles, feet, and neck veins. Symptoms can worsen and eventually lead to heart failure. Heart valves can be damaged by inflammation from rheumatic fever following a strep throat infection and endocarditis, which is caused by a bacterial infection of the tissue lining the heart's chambers and valves. Antibiotics and other medications are prescribed to prevent further damage to the valves and a valve replacement may be needed if damage is severe.
Many cases of heart disease can be prevented by making lifestyle changes. According to the Mayo Clinic, heart-healthy recommendations include not smoking, reducing salt and saturated fat in the diet, exercising daily for at least 30 minutes, stress reduction, keeping your body at a healthy weight, getting at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep, and controlling your blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes. Prevention of a disease is always better than having to treat it. With a few lifestyle modifications, you can keep your ticker healthy and strong for years to come. For additional information about health promotion and wellness products for the body, mind, and soul, please visit my website www.NurtureYourWholeSelf.com.
CPR is an important skill to know and may be needed someday to save a loved one. There are many locations throughout the U.S. to become certified, including the American Heart Association and the Red Cross. Please consider taking a class if you haven't already.
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