HEART DISEASE

THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS WHO SUFFERED FROM HEART DISEASE

• Nearly 787,000 people alone in 2011 in the United States
• Every year about 735,000 Americans

As you get older, your risk for heart disease goes up. There's nothing you can do about getting older, but you can take steps to eat healthy, stay active and manage your weight. And talk with your doctor about your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose. Make sure your numbers are where they should be and, if they're not, work with your doctor to set target numbers that are right for you.

People of different racial and ethnic groups are more likely to develop heart disease. African Americans, Mexican Americans, American Indians, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans have a higher risk for these deadly diseases. This is partly because these populations are more likely to be overweight, have high blood pressure and have heart disease

Whether you're male or female also affects how likely you are to develop heart disease. Men are more likely to develop heart disease. But once a woman reaches menopause, her risk for heart disease goes up. But even then, women still aren't as likely as men.

If your mother, father, sister, or brother has heart disease, your risk goes up. If you don't know your family history, ask. Ask your parents, aunts and uncles if anyone in your family has had heart disease. Then tell your doctor what you learn so you can make a plan to lower your risk.

HOW TO PREVENT HEART DISEASE

• Quitting smoking
• Good nutrition
• Exercising
• Reducing stress
• Reducing high blood pressure

Left untreated, heart disease can result in serious complications, such as lethal cardiac arrhythmias, severe heart failure, cardiac arrest, and death. Some complications can occur suddenly and require immediate treatment. Immediate emergency treatment best minimizes the risk of complications.

ACTION PLAN

• "Most of us consider ourselves healthy, as long as we are not experiencing symptoms of illness. However, sometimes the first noticeable symptom of heart disease is a heart attack," says Dr. Cooley. "Once you begin to notice symptoms, damage has already occurred. Thus, it is important to be aware of the risk factors for heart disease and to take the necessary steps to reduce your risk. Simply by controlling one or more of your risk factors, you can add months and possibly years to your life."

RESOURCES

• http://www.theheartfoundation.org/heart-disease-facts/heart-disease-statist...
• http://www.diabetes.org/are-you-at-risk/lower-your-risk/nonmodifiables.html
• http://www.healthline.com/health/heart-disease/prevention#Overview1
• http://www.healthgrades.com/conditions/heart-disease
• http://www.texasheart.org/HIC/Topics/HSmart/