Heart disease refers to a large group of conditions that affect your heart’s muscular strength and performance. You can minimize your risk of heart disease Sebring by changing your lifestyle habits or treating any underlying cardiovascular disease. The goal is to provide a conducive healthy environment so that your heart can thrive and function properly.
What are the risk factors for heart disease?
Your risk factors prevent the proper function of your heart. Whether it is circulating oxygenated blood, your heart is also responsible for pumping enough blood to your organs and tissues.
Below are the most common causes of heart failure:
- Heart defects
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Certain conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes
- Cardiomyopathy (damage to the heart)
- Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart)
- Sleep apnea
- Tobacco use
Types of heart disease
The different types of heart disease depend on the causative factors. Some types of heart disease are conditions from birth while others arise from complications of your lifestyle choices. They include:
- Congenital heart disease
- Congestive heart failure
- Coronary artery disease
- Carotid artery disease
- Cardiac valve dysfunction
- Arrhythmias
Symptoms
Although you might not experience any symptoms during the early stages of your heart disease, you might develop symptoms when plaque builds up in your arteries. You might experience symptoms like chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, chest tightness, pressure, nausea, and fatigue.
How can you minimize your risk factors?
You can minimize your risk factors by adjusting your lifestyle choices and habits. It is important to understand that you cannot minimize the likelihood of heart disease caused by heart defects present at birth. You can include the following tips in your daily life:
Adjust your diet
Your diet is important as far as your heart health is concerned. Processed foods full of sugar and saturated fats will only damage and stress your heart. You don’t want to experience blood sugar spikes as they make your heart muscles work harder than usual. Saturated fats might form plaque in your arteries and cause blockages.
You can maintain a healthy weight and avoid obesity, through a proper diet. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables for essential vitamins.
Get enough sleep and exercise
Adequate sleep and exercise will improve your cardiovascular and your overall health. If you don’t sleep well, you might experience anxiety and heart palpitations which are not good for you. Exercise will strengthen your heart muscles by increasing blood supply and volume to your body’s organs.
Diagnosis and treatment
Your specialist will recommend a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) which can assess your heart’s function under stress like exercise. The test will also monitor your heart rate and rhythm, oxygen used, carbon dioxide produced, blood pressure, and oxygen level.
Your cardiologist will offer treatment depending on the results of the CPET test. They might recommend different forms of treatment like regular exercise, medications, and surgery if necessary.
If you have any symptoms of heart disease, visit Vein & Cardiovascular Center for evaluation and treatment. It is vital to check on your heart health even if you have no symptoms but lead a questionable lifestyle. Call or book an appointment online today.