Heart Disease – An Overview
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the nation. While some cases of heart disease may have a family history behind it, there is much that we can do to prevent heart disease in the future.
A basic understanding of heart disease is a good place to start.
Coronary Heart Disease
When the small blood vessels of the heart become clogged, it causes narrowing of these blood vessels. Plaque will build up and cause what is known as hardening of the arteries.
When fatty materials begin to deposit into the arteries, it becomes difficult for blood and oxygen to reach the heart through those pathways. The end result is that the heart cannot receive vital blood and oxygen and a heart attack may occur.
While many factors such as family history go into coronary heart disease, there are also ways to prevent or diminish the chances of this illness. Since heart disease is the number one cause of death in both women and men, learning as much as you can about preventative measures is a wise and healthy choice.
Symptoms
Some symptoms that you should be aware of when it comes to the health of your heart may be noticeable, while other symptoms are subtle. In either case, if you have any kind of symptom, a visit with your doctor is imperative.
* Shortness of breath – Shortness of breath could develop from anything from heart disease to asthma. If you are short of breath, do not hesitate to visit your physician. You may be able to ward off something more serious in the future. Do not take it for granted that you are just getting on in years. Visit your doctor.
* Dizziness or fainting – Dizziness or fainting are symptoms that something is amiss in your body. If you have both dizziness and fainting and shortness of breath, this warrants an immediate visit to your physician. Do not put it off.
* Pressure – Pressure associated with heart disease is a tell-tale sign of something wrong. Pressure in your chest or in your arm, neck, and shoulders could be indicative of heart disease.
* Fatigue – Sometimes we view fatigue as something that will go away on its own. However, if you have fatigue, it could be your body warning you that something is going wrong somewhere down the road. You may be able to ward it off if you act early enough.
Visiting Your Doctor
If you have any or all of the symptoms listed above, a regular check-up will not hurt you. It is better to be wrong and say something than to be right and saying nothing. Your doctor has many ways of evaluating you:
* An electrocardiogram
* An echocardiogram
* A Heart stress test
* A Heart CT scan
These are just a few of the many things available.
Once the diagnostic tests are complete, your physician can properly treat your particular situation. However, as with any other disease, act early to prevent a worsening situation later.
The Importance of Cardio Exercise
Many individuals view cardio exercise as a form of torture. However, if you inform yourself of all the benefits cardio exercise has to offer, you may well change your view. Cardio exercise is not only for super athletes training to run marathons. The benefits extend out into many areas of your lives beside physical fitness.
Cardio: A Heart Healthy Choice
One of the main benefits of partaking in cardio exercise is that it does wonders for your heart. Cardio gets the blood circulating and pumping to your heart. Your heart is a muscle and needs to be worked out just like any other muscle. Just because you cannot see it, does not mean it is not in need of some tender loving care.
The stronger you make your heart, the better it will work for you. Your heart will not have to pump as hard to get the job done. Walking uphill or up and down stairs can leave you short of breath but if you partake in cardio exercise, you will notice that this will change.
Cardio for Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Cardio exercise also benefits everyone as it enables you to maintain your metabolism and, therefore, maintain a healthy weight. Obesity is a crisis in our nation today and cardio exercise is an excellent place to start - along with diet, of course. Cardio burns calories and gets the heart pumping. Cardio exercise will assist in weight loss; however, it can also assist in maintaining it. It is a win/win situation.
Move Faster to Sleep Better
Cardio exercise has been known for its fast-paced, energetic movement. This also assists you in sleeping better at night. Studies have shown that people who partake in cardio exercise have fewer sleep issues.
The better you sleep, the more energy you will have for cardio. The more energy you have for cardio the more benefits you will reap.
Reduce Stress
Many individuals in today’s multi-tasking, high-paced life tend to turn to things such as alcohol, overeating, or smoking to reduce stress. However, those things may work temporarily but they do not work in the long run – they hurt your body.
Cardio exercise promotes the release of endorphins, which are natural mood boosters. Once you start incorporating cardio exercise into your life, you will see a natural boost in your mood.
Fewer Diseases
Cardio exercises reduce diseases such as:
* Heart disease
* Lung disease
* High blood pressure
* Diabetes
With all these benefits, it is easy to see why including cardio exercise into your weekly routine is a wise choice indeed.
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