Page 6 - Best of Health and Wellness

Health and wellness tips for your work, home and life—brought to you by the insurance professionals at Hays
Companies

HEART DISEASE • Heart palpitations
Heart disease is a common term for coronary artery • Weakness or fatigue
disease. It is the number one cause of death in both
men and women over the age of 60 in the United States. Call your doctor if you begin to have new symptoms or
if they become more frequent or severe.
Causes
Heart disease is caused by atherosclerosis—a buildup of Treatment
plaque in the inner walls of the arteries—which The goals of treatment for heart disease are to relieve
narrows, slows or blocks the flow of blood to the heart. symptoms, control or reduce risk factors, stop or slow
further damage to the arteries, and prevent and treat
Risk Factors cardiac events. Treatment includes several options:
Controllable risk factors for heart disease include the
following: • Self-care and prevention

• High blood pressure • Medications
• Procedures to open blocked or narrowed
• High LDL cholesterol
arteries or to bypass them
• Type 2 diabetes
• Cardiac rehabilitation
• Smoking
Self-care and Prevention
• Being overweight or obese You can follow a healthy lifestyle to help prevent heart
disease:
• Lack of physical activity
• Get regular medical check-ups.
• Using illegal drugs, such as cocaine
• Don’t smoke.
Warning Signs
The symptoms you experience depend on the type and • Maintain a healthy weight.
severity of your heart condition. Common signs and
symptoms of heart disease include the following:

• Shortness of breath

• Dizziness

• Chest pain or discomfort

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. For further information,
please consult a medical professional. © 2007-2009. 2012, 2014, 2017-2018 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.