Cardiovascular Health
The average heart weighs between 7 and 15 ounces and pumps approximately 2,000 gallons of blood per day. This heavy responsibility means that the heart must be kept in good working condition to ensure continued health. It’s a sad fact that cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death in America. In 2006, it was responsible for 26 of deaths631,636 in all. CVD affects both men and women, and costs the United States more than 300 billion annually. Luckily, there are ways to avoid CVD in your life, even if there’s a history of heart disease in your family.Lack of physical activity has been cited as a risk factor for coronary heart disease, along with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and cigarette smoking. Many Americans avoid physical fitness after graduating from high school and mandatory health courses, but adding 30 minutes of low-to-medium-intensity activities (walking, stair-climbing, yard work, dancing, etc.) can bring a noticeable difference.You can also look to your diet for help. A diet high in vegetable fiber and low in fat and cholesterol provides the best results. Tobacco and alcohol have also both been tied to increased cardiovascular risks. You might be surprised to learn that emotional stress is also a risk factor. Take time throughout your day to lower your stress level with exercise, reading, or another relaxing activity that doesn’t clash with the other risk categories.Cardiovascular disease can refer to one of a number of different conditions. The heart attack is well known. In this instance, blood supply is cut off from a portion of the heartthis is recognized by sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing, vomiting, sweating, and anxiety that manifests as a feeling of impending doom. Congestive heart failure refers to a breakdown in heart-pumping which leads to backed-up fluid in the lungs. Sufferers experience shortness of breath, coughing, ankle swelling, venous congestion, and an inaptitude for physical exercise. Arrhythmia (also known as cardiac dysrhythmia) occurs when the heart beats at an abnormal rateeither faster or slower than normal ,and with a regular or irregular beat. If not treated, this condition can cause cardiac arrest and death. Angina, on the other hand, is persistent chest pain caused when the heart gets too little blood and oxygen. It’s generally caused by an obstruction of the coronary arteriesgenerally known as atherosclerosis.