Heart Disease Prevention

Heart Disease Prevention

Heart Disease Prevention
The number one killer in the United States is heart disease. Every thirty-four seconds it kills someone. African Americans and Latinos are especially at high risk for heart disease and other heart related problems. Heart disease occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle become hardened and narrowed due to buildup of plaque on the inner walls of the arteries. By keeping a high standard of living and being aware of your health you can avoid heart disease.   ("In Brief: Your Guide to A Healthy Heart")
A lot of the risk factors for heart disease are also causes of many other illnesses. A condition called High Blood cholesterol occurs when there is too much cholesterol in your blood. Cholesterol is a waxy substance that takes place naturally in your body. It travels through your blood stream in small packages called lipoproteins. There are two major lipoproteins that carry cholesterol in your blood. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are sometimes called bad cholesterol because they carry cholesterol to tissues like your heart arteries.   A high LDL level raises your chance of getting heart disease. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are the good cholesterol. HDL helps remove cholesterol from your arteries. The lower your HDL level the greater your risk of getting heart disease. There are many things that affect your blood cholesterol level like menopause, age, gender, and diet. You should have routine blood tests regularly to ensure that your blood cholesterol levels are normal. (National Heart Lung and Blood Institute 2)
Blood pressure can damage your heart and lead to plaque buildup. It is the force of blood that pushes against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps out blood. High blood pressure

seldom has any symptoms or signs. If you are overweight or have diabetes you are at risk for high blood pressure. Starting at the age of three, you should have routine blood pressure checks once a year. (National Heart...