Valentine’s day is just around the corner! With hearts on the mind, we here at CPR Savers would like to help our community be better informed about Heart Disease.
So, what is heart disease?
The term “Heart Disease” refers to several types of heart conditions. In the United States, the most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease. This disease affects the flow of blood to and from the heart. A decrease in the flow of blood can cause a heart attack, which is very serious and can sometimes even be fatal.
Often, heart disease can be silent and not diagnosed by your health care provider until a person experiences the symptoms of a heart failure, heart attack, or arrhythmia.
Heart Attacks — A heart attack can often be recognized by a feeling of chest pain, upper back or neck pain, indigestion, heartburn, nausea or vomiting, extreme fatigue, upper body discomfort, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
Heart Failure — Heart Failure can often be recognized by a shortness of breath, fatigue, or swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, abdomen, or neck veins.
Arrhythmia — Arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat, and can often be recognized by a fluttering feeling in the chest - otherwise known as heart palpitations.
These are all very serious cardiovascular diseases, and you should seek treatment from your local healthcare provider should you ever experience these symptoms. About 647,000 people in the United States alone die from heart disease each year.
Sources:
CDC on Heart DiseaseHealthline on Heart Disease