Heart disease is a silent killer across the country and deep within our local Tampa Bay community. More than 650,000 people die from heart disease in the US every year-- that’s one person every 36 seconds. The Tampa Bay chapter of the American Heart Association reports that "over 50% of Tampa Bay residents live with high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and long-term Covid-19 complications."
As a community health leader, The Right Spinal Clinic wants to help you prevent heart disease and enjoy a healthy life. This article discusses some of the most common heart diseases. We will also provide you with some tips on how to keep your heart strong and healthy. Read on.
The heart is a muscle organ made up of three layers of tissue:
These layers work together to keep the heart functioning at its best. The human heart beats approximately 100,000 times daily, pumping around 7-9 pints of blood throughout the body. This process distributes oxygen and blood to tissues and organs and eliminates waste as well. The heart also transports deoxygenated blood to the lungs, where the blood takes in oxygen and releases carbon dioxide.
Everyone is at risk of having cardiovascular problems, including children and teenagers. Heart disease can be fatal, but there are several ways to prevent it, such as lifestyle changes and medications. Lack of access to health care and quality food leads to racial and economic disparities in heart disease complications and deaths.
This condition refers to abnormal changes in heart rhythms. It can cause your heart to beat too fast, too slowly, or irregularly, leading to a broad range of symptoms, such as:
Note: Arrhythmias can also be a symptom of other heart problems. You should see a doctor if you experience any heart symptoms.
Also known as Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), this is one of the most common types of cardiovascular disease. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 18 million adults aged 20 and above have Coronary Artery Disease. In 2017, nearly 366,000 died due to CAD.
CAD is a result of plaque growing in the walls of the coronary arteries, which restricts the normal blood flow to the heart and could lead to a heart attack. People with high blood pressure are more likely to develop Coronary Artery Disease because of the increased pressure on the blood vessels. Symptoms of CAD include the following:
Congenital heart defects can develop as early as the fetus stage. However, there are also cases where heart defects were not detected or diagnosed in infancy. Symptoms of congenital heart defects include
