Heart Health in America

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which often appears as a heart attack.  About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event, and about one every minute will die from it¹.

In 2010, an estimated 785,000 Americans had a new coronary attack, and about 470,000 had a recurrent attack. Although heart disease is sometimes thought of as a “man’s disease,” it is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States, and women account for nearly 50% of heart disease deaths.

Heart disease is the third leading cause of death among women aged 25–44 years and the second leading cause of death among women aged 45–64 years. The average age for a first heart attack for men is 66 years and almost half of men who have a heart attack under age 65 die within 8 years¹. Half of men and almost two-thirds of women who die suddenly of coronary heart disease have no previous symptoms ².

Atherosclerosis is also the most common cause of cardiovascular disease, which occurs when the arteries become clogged and narrowed, restricting blood flow. Without adequate blood flow from the coronary arteries, the heart becomes starved of oxygen and the vital nutrients it needs to work properly.

A heart attack or myocardial infarction occurs when a plaque ruptures, allowing a blood clot to form. This completely obstructs the artery, stopping blood flow to part of the heart muscle, and that portion of muscle dies.

Know Your Signs and Symptoms

Knowing the signs and symptoms of heart attack are crucial to the most positive outcomes after having a heart attack.  Some heart attacks are sudden and intense; however, most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting help. Call 911 immediately at the onset of heart attack symptoms. These are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

• Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.

• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.

• Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort.

• Other signs. These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.

• Signs in women may be different than for men.  

Healthy Lifestyle: Diet and Nutrition, Exercise and Fitness

1. Healthy Diet

A healthy diet and lifestyle are the best weapons you have to fight heart disease. Many people make it harder than it is. It is important to remember that it is the overall pattern of the choices you make that counts.

As you make daily food choices, read nutrition labels and base your eating pattern on these recommendations:

• Follow a healthy diet abundant in vegetables and fruit
• Choose good quality (hormone and antibiotic free) lean meats and poultry without skin and prepare them without added saturated and trans fat.
• Legumes are an excellent source of protein and fiber.
• Eliminate, or select fat-free, 1% fat, and low-fat dairy products.
• Choose healthy fats like olive oil and avocado and cut back on foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to reduce trans fat in your diet.
• Cut back on foods high in dietary cholesterol. Aim to eat less than 300 mg of cholesterol each day.
• Cut back on beverages and foods with added sugars.
• Select and purchase foods lower in salt/sodium.
• If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation. That means no more than one drink per day if you’re a woman and two drinks per day if you’re a man.
• Keep an eye on your portion sizes.

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