Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every 25 seconds an American will have a coronary event. Every minute someone will die from heart disease.

While many people view heart disease as an “older man’s disease,” it is the leading cause of death for women ages 65 and older. It is the second leading cause for women ages 45 to 64 and the third leading cause for women ages 25 to 44.

However, great medical advances and a more knowledgeable public have made an impact on the disease. Since 1998, deaths due to cardiovascular disease have declined by about 30%. A large part of this increased awareness has been the dedication of February as American Heart Month since 1963. February has been devoted to educating and fundraising, not only to make more people aware of cardiovascular diseases, but to encourage testing for the disease and healthier living.

Though many advances have been made in the treatment and prevention of heart disease, much still needs to be done. Prevention is, of course, the best medicine. It is important to know what causes coronary disease and what conditions can lead to it. High cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and obesity are all factors that can contribute to a person developing heart disease.

Many people are under the impression that having a heart attack is a sudden and severe occurrence, but often the person having the attack is unaware that it is happening. Men often experience pain, tightness, or a squeezing sensation in their chest; this can last for several minutes or it may come and go. Other symptoms include pain in the neck, jaw, back, or in one or both arms. Nausea, cold sweats, and shortness of breath are also symptoms.

Women, on the other hand, often experience different symptoms. In fact, over 40% say that they did not experience any chest pain before or during their heart attack. Instead, most women claim to have experienced anxiety, sleeplessness, unusual fatigue, and indigestion. Almost 80% of women say that they experienced at least one symptom for more than a month prior to their heart attack.

While the symptoms between men and women vary, doctors still highlight chest pain as a major characteristic of a heart attack in both sexes. It is vital that everyone be aware of the symptoms and report them to your doctor as soon as possible.

The best way to prevent coronary disease from affecting you is to live a healthy lifestyle and to see your doctor regularly for checkups. Your physician can advise you on your diet and exercise plan. Generally, it is best to avoid foods high in fat and cholesterol. Choose lean meats and grill or bake rather than fry. Select low-fat or fat-free dairy foods such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. Avoid foods high in saturated and trans fats. Cut back on sugary foods and drinks and watch your sodium intake.

Healthy individuals should consume no more than 2,300 mg of sodium a day; those who have hypertension should consume no more than 1,500 mg per day. And of course, exercise is a must.

Anyone who has diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a family history of any of the above or has been experiencing any symptoms should be screened for heart disease. In fact, everyone should be screened for heart disease at some point. Your doctor will consider your family history, risk factors, and symptoms. Then he will advise you as to which tests you should undergo.

For people who are not at a high risk, your physician will most likely use a non-invasive form of testing such as the Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), which records each electrical phase of your heartbeat; an ambulatory EKG (Holter Monitoring), which records the heart’s activity during normal daily activities; or an exercise stress test (or treadmill test), during which the patient will wear electrodes while walking on a treadmill at varying speeds.

If you are at a higher risk for heart disease or have been experiencing symptoms, you will undergo more invasive testing procedures. Among these are blood tests; cardiac catheterization; allowing doctors to see blockages on an x-ray of the heart; and an electrophysiologic test, which measures the electrical impulse of the heart and detects arrhythmias.

Treatments for heart disease range from medication to surgery. Anticoagulants, or blood thinners, help to prevent blood clots from developing or existing clots from growing larger. Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors lower the level of Angiotensin II by expanding the blood vessels. This allows blood to flow easier and the heart to work more efficiently; and Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers prevent Angiotensin II from affecting the heart and blood vessels and help to keep blood pressure low.

Angioplasty is a procedure in which the doctor inserts a balloon-tipped catheter into a blocked artery. By inflating the balloon, the plaque narrowing the artery is compressed against the sides of the blood vessel and the pathway is reopened. A mesh metal tube called a stent is sometimes placed over the balloon. When the balloon is inflated, the stent expands and acts as a scaffold, supporting the walls of the artery.

For coronary artery disease that is more severe, you may need to undergo a bypass. This is when an artery from another part of your body (such as your leg) is relocated and replaces a damaged artery in the heart. The blood then bypasses the damaged area via the new artery or “graph.”

We all know the saying, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” but this does not hold true when it comes to our health. Don’t remain absent from regular doctor visits or from knowing the truth about heart disease. Stay active, involved, and aware.

Sources for this story included: www.umm.edu/features/vascular_disease.htm, and www.webmd.com/heart-disease.