"Let my heart be wise. It is the gods' best gift." - Euripides
You can give your heart. Open your heart. Think with your heart. Love with all your heart.
But all poetry aside, the heart is actually a muscle - a very important muscle. And when it's not working properly, a variety of things can happen that can seriously affect your health and shorten your life.
People can start by changing their lifestyles and maintaining their overall good health, which translates into a healthier heart. As our knowledge of disease prevention increases and new studies continue to enlighten us, we're discovering that it's really not very hard at all to make common-sense, heart-smart decisions.
Why is the Heart So Important?
The heart pumps blood throughout the body. To do that, it must receive oxygen, which is supplied to the heart by coronary arteries that wrap around its surface. The heart has a tremendously important job. It's like an engine in your body that feeds all of your other organs, including your brain.
What we eat and how often we exercise are the main factors in keeping the heart healthy. But when we make unhealthy choices, it can come back to haunt us by slowly breaking down the heart's ability to function. And when one or more of the heart's systems breaks down, "heart disease" is the result. "Heart disease" refers to a number of different conditions, one of the most common being "coronary artery disease."
What is Coronary Artery Disease?
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is caused by the build-up of fatty substances, such as cholesterol, along the inner lining of the coronary arteries that nourish the heart. Often called "artery cloggage" or "blood sludge," the medical name for this build-up is artherosclerosis.
This build-up begins during childhood and may get progressively worse the older we get, if we don't eat properly and get regular exercise. Over time, these fatty deposits narrow the arteries, invade some of the deeper levels of the artery walls, and may eventually block the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart. Left untreated, CAD can result in a heart attack or even death.
What Are the Symptoms of a Heart Attack?
Very often, there are no symptoms. If you're over 35, and especially if you are at risk for heart disease, you should ask your doctor about getting regular heart screenings.
But for people who do experience actual symptoms, their first sign is often angina, which is characterized by pressure, tightness or pain in your chest, arm, back, neck or jaw. You may also have heartburn, nausea, vomiting, heavy sweating or shortness of breath, or a combination of these symptoms.
Even more serious is a heart attack, which is characterized by severe, prolonged chest pain, often described as a heavy pressure. This is not a sharp sensation, but rather a dull, aching feeling that may also extend to your left shoulder and arm, back, upper abdomen or jaw.
Heart attacks can appear without warning. If you or someone you know experience any of these symptoms, get emergency assistance immediately.
What Can You Start Doing Now?
Start by having a physical exam performed by your doctor. Using a stethoscope, he or she may be able to hear abnormal heart sounds or murmurs if there is enough blockage to restrict blood flow. He or she may also recommend an ultrasound test, which can more accurately determine the degree of blockage.
You should also get regular cholesterol and blood pressure screenings. Using this information, a doctor can assess your risk levels and help you take steps to correct a high reading on either one.
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