American Heart Month
Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States?
In fact, one in four adults dies from heart disease, according to the CDC. That's why American Heart Month is so important. Educating people about symptoms, treatment, and prevention of heart disease can help save lives.
What Month is American Heart Awareness Month?
American Heart Month has been honored every February since 1964. Additionally, the first Friday in February is National Wear Red for Women Day. Its purpose is to spread awareness about how symptoms of heart attacks and heart disease may look different in women than men.
What Is the Purpose of American Heart Month?
The purpose of American Heart Month is to educate people about heart disease and encourage them to eat healthier and exercise more to help prevent heart disease. Many causes of heart disease are preventable, so educating the public about heart health can help save lives.
What Age Does Heart Disease Start?
Heart disease can start at any age. In fact, congenital heart disease can be present at birth. Most types of heart disease, though, begin in adulthood.
However, forms of heart disease that were previously associated with older people (like high blood pressure and high cholesterol) are now being found in younger adults and even children.
It's never too young to start developing good habits that can help prevent heart disease.
Symptoms and Types of Heart Disease
"Heart disease" is a very broad term. There are actually many different types and causes of heart disease. Each type of heart disease has its own symptoms, treatment, and prevention.
Atherosclerosis (Blood Vessel Disease)
This is one of the most familiar types of heart disease. The blood vessels become clogged with cholesterol and block off blood flow to part of the heart. Symptoms may include:
Chest pain, pressure, discomfort, or tightness (angina)
Pain in the throat, neck, jaw, back, or upper abdomen
Shortness of breath
Pain, weakness, numbness, or coldness in arms or legs
Heart Arrhythmia (Abnormal Heartbeat)
Heart disease can be caused by your heart beating too slowly, quickly, or irregularly. Symptoms may include:
Racing heartbeat
Slow heartbeat
Shortness of breath
Dizziness
Lightheadedness
Fainting
Fluttering in your chest
Chest pain or discomfort
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (Weak Heart Muscle)
You may not experience any symptoms when you first develop dilated cardiomyopathy, but symptoms may include:
Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting
Swelling of feet, ankles, and legs
Feeling out of breath
Fatigue
Irregular heartbeats that feel fluttering, pounding, or rapid
Endocarditis (Heart Infection)
Technically, endocarditis is an infection that affects the inner membrane that separates the chambers and valves of the heart (endocardium). Symptoms may include:
Fever
Fatigue or weakness
Changes in heart rhythm
Persistent dry cough
Shortness of breath
Swelling in abdomen or legs
Skin rashes or unusual spots
Valvular Heart Disease (Damage to One or More of the Heart Valves)
The aortic, mitral, pulmonary, and tricuspid valves open and close to direct blood flow through the heart. Symptoms that there is a problem with one (or more) of your heart valves may include:
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Swollen ankles or feet
Irregular heartbeat
Fainting
Chest pain
Congenital Heart Defects (Heart Defects Present at Birth)
Severe heart defects are usually noticed shortly before or after birth. Milder defects may not be detected until young adulthood. Symptoms of congenital heart defects may include:
Blue or gray skin color
Shortness of breath during feedings (for an infant), causing poor weight gain
Swelling around the eyes or in the abdomen, legs, feet, ankles, or hands
Easily getting short of breath or tired during exercise
Heart Disease Risk Factors
Heart disease can strike just about anybody, but there are a variety of factors that put somebody at higher risk, including:
Older age
Being a man, or a woman after menopause
Family history
Smoking
Some chemotherapy or radiation drugs
Poor diet
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Obesity
Lack of exercise
Stress
Poor hygiene
Heart Disease Treatment
Treatment for heart disease will vary depending on the cause of the heart disease. In general, heart disease treatment includes:
Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, getting more exercise, limiting alcohol intake, and eating a low-fat and low-sodium diet.
Medications, which will vary depending on the type of heart disease you are battling.
Medical procedures or surgery may be required depending on the type and severity of your heart disease.
Heart Disease Prevention
Luckily, many types of heart disease can be prevented. Some ways to help avoid developing heart disease include:
Avoid or quit smoking
Exercise at least 30 minutes almost every day
Maintain a healthy weight
Practice good hygiene
Manage and reduce stress
Eat a diet low in saturated fat and salt
Control other health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol
Spread Awareness this American Heart Month
Do your part for Heart Month this year and share this article with everybody you know. It just may save somebody's life.
To speak with a doctor about hypertension treatment, book an appointment with an online doctor at PlushCare.
Read More About Heart Health
Sources
Mayo Clinic. Heart Disease. Accessed February 20, 2020 at https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353124
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heart Disease Facts. Accessed June 18, 2024 at https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/data-research/facts-stats/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. American Heart Month Toolkits. Accessed June 18, 2024 at https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/php/heart-month/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/american_heart_month.htm
