Cardiovascular disease kills Americans

Cardiovascular disease is America's number one killer.   According to research done by the National Heart Association in 2002, 70.1 million Americans were diagnosed with cardiovascular disease and approximately 1 million died. Women are more prone to it than men. Those who are overweight, smoke, have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or any family history of cardiovascular disease are at greater risk of developing the disease.

One of the heart's primary functions is maintaining blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is important for proper blood flow within the arteries, which is 120 systolic and 80 diastolic. Blood pressure is generally higher when the heart pumps more blood and the diameter of the artery is smaller. Foods with high-fat content and saturated fat can clog arteries over time, which causes high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. Stressful situations can also temporarily increase blood pressure levels.

Cholesterol is hard to avoid as all foods of animal origin have it, like eggs, red meat and shrimp. The digestive tract absorbs the cholesterol from the food, and the liver circulates it through the bloodstream. The liver also produces its own cholesterol. This combination can cause cholesterol to quickly accumulate in the bloodstream.

Cardiovascular disease leads to heart attacks and strokes

A blockage in the heart's arteries may reduce or completely cut off the blood supply to a portion of the heart. This can cause a blood clot to form and stop blood flow in a coronary artery, resulting in a heart attack. Some heart attacks come suddenly, but most start slowly with mild pain or discomfort in the chest, neck or shoulders.

Stroke, on the other hand, occurs suddenly and is the leading cause of disability in the United States. Symptoms include dizziness, difficulty understanding speech, confusion or headache. It can cause weakness or numbness in any part of the body. If not treated promptly, it can result in seizures, cerebral swelling, hemorrhaging or paralysis.

Cardiovascular disease can be prevented

Don’t smoke. It’s one of the easiest ways to avoid cardiovascular disease. Also, eating healthy and exercising regularly can help decrease risk. The U.S. Department of Agriculture promotes a healthy guide for people to follow.   This guide can be tailored to an individual’s specific needs, age and gender.

The average American should try to exercise at least 30 minutes a day. Consuming vegetables, fruits, low-fat milk, lean meat and a variety of grains can help maintain a healthier lifestyle and minimize cholesterol levels.

The American Association for Clinical Chemistry recommends getting tested for cardiovascular disease every 5 years. One common test is the lipid profile. A small blood sample is drawn from the arm to test cholesterol levels and help gauge the risk of cardiovascular disease.