Introduction
The heart is a sensitive organ that provides blood to the entire human body. In its absence, life is unable to continue. The way that we treat our bodies and regard our health are important in sustaining a healthy heart. While some people may be born with diseases that afflict the heart, such as a weakened heart, others develop heart problems because of poor lifestyle habits. In severe cases, patients may require a heart transplant. Conditions that affect the heart include high cholesterol and high blood pressure, which can worsen and affect your heart's strength over time, leading to several different heart diseases. Being proactive about your heart and preventing damage to it is much simpler than reversing or preventing further damage once heart problems have already surfaced. Talk to your doctor if you suspect that you have a dises affecting your heart, or ways that can prevent the dises from getting worse over time.
Heart Disease
Over a long period of time, heart disease can cause the body to not be able to provide the pumping power necessary to provide every part of the body with blood. High blood pressure, a sedentary lifestyle without exercise, smoking, and being overweight can drastically increase the chances of developing heart dises. Often, heart dises isn't diagnosed until a patient suffers from a heart attack or stroke. Chest pain can also be indicative of heart dises. Surgeries to open blocked arteries may be performed, along with several other surgeries designed to protect the heart. After you are diagnosed with heart disease, ask your doctor about how to reduce the severity of the condition. A strict, healthy diet and regular, light cardiovascular exercise is usually recommended as a way to fight back against heart disease. Eating well, exercising, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding smoking are all excellent ways to prevent the development of heart dises.
Heart Failure
After suffering from high blood pressure for a long while, the heart loses its pumping abilities and cannot pump blood as efficiently as before to the rest of the body. This condition is called heart failure, a dises of the heart. A diet high in sodium, a sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure, obesity and high stress can all contribute to the development of heart failure. Regular cardiovascular exercise, a healthy diet, limiting sodium intake, losing weight and learning new ways to effectively manage stress can all help a heart failure patient live longer. Managing other co-morbid conditions, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity can all prevent the development of heart failure.
Tips and comments
Dizziness, weakness or swelling in the lower legs could be indicative of a heart pumping problem. If you suspect that you have a dises of the heart, speak to your doctor immediately. A doctor may refer you to a heart specialist for further testing and evaluation.
Do not be afraid of asking your doctor to explain a procedure or to ask for advice on how to manage your condition. Sometimes, doctors may prescribe medications to regulate your cholesterol and blood pressure, which can prevent the development of more serious heart conditions.
