The Cardiovascular Disease Program

The purpose of the Howard County Health Department Cardio Vascular Disease (CVD) Program is to decrease heart disease and heart disease-related illness and deaths within the county community.

The number of people living with heart disease has steadily increased as the proportion of older Americans has increased. While heart disease is often viewed as a disease of the elderly, it also contributes significantly to premature death for those under age 65. Heart disease doesn’t just kill the elderly—it is the leading cause of death for ALL Americans age 35 and older. Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) or heart disease includes dysfunctional conditions of the heart, arteries, and veins that supply oxygen to the brain, the heart itself, and other vital organs. If oxygen doesn’t arrive, the tissue or organ will die. This is why it is important to know how you can prevent cardiovascular disease as well as know important numbers to keep yourself heart healthy.

Some information you should know about cardiovascular disease. There are risk factors for Cardiovascular Disease that you can control:

• High blood pressure
• Abnormal cholesterol
• Tobacco Use
• Diabetes
• Being Overweight
• Physical inactivity
• Alcohol use

And there are factors that you do not have any control of, such as your age, heredity and gender.

High blood pressure or hypertension is a heart disease that deals with the amount of the force of blood within the arteries. High blood pressure is dangerous because it makes the heart work too hard and contributes to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). It increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, which are the first and third leading causes of death among Americans. That is why it is very important for you to get your blood pressure checked regularly, even if you feel fine. An optimal blood pressure level is less than 120/80 mmHg. When blood pressure is elevated to 140/90 mmHg or higher, it’s called high blood pressure and you see your physician right away. High blood pressure can be controlled without medication, but if your doctor gives you medication take until your physician decides otherwise.

Cholesterol also can affect heart disease. When there is too much cholesterol (a fat-like substance) in your blood, it builds up in the walls of your arteries. Over time, this buildup causes “hardening of the arteries” and blood flow to the heart is slowed down or blocked which could lead to chest pain or even a heart attack. The only way to know your blood cholesterol level is to have it tested. Everyone age 20 and older should have his or her cholesterol tested once every five years or as recommended by a healthcare provider. A person’s total cholesterol level should be less than 200 mg/dL.

Recently studies have found a correlation with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. People with diabetes are more likely to develop heart disease and vice versa. With diabetes, insulin made by the pancreas is not be made properly and therefore not allowing glucose from foods and sugars to get into the cells and be used for energy and it builds up in the blood. People with a family history of diabetes and are overweight, should get tested. A person’s fasting glucose level should be less than 100 mg/dL.

Being overweight or obese is a risk factor for heart disease as well as diabetes and other chronic diseases. In general, obesity is a condition defined by an excess amount of body fat. A certain amount of body fat is necessary, but women with over 30% body fat and men with over 25% body fat are considered obese. The normal amount of body fat is between 25-30% in non-pregnant women and 18-23% in men. By losing weight you can cut your risk of CVD considerably.

Physical Inactivity also plays a key role in prevention of heart disease. Regular aerobic physical activity can assist in keeping your weight down and decreasing your chances of developing heart disease as well as other chronic diseases. Regular physical activity, 30 minutes on most, if not all, days can help control heart disease and it has been found that aerobic physical activity can also help reduce blood pressure. Physical activity can be as simple as walking. To Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease take these simple steps:

• Get regular medical checkups to get the appropriate test
• Have blood pressure and cholesterol levels taken regularly
• Take prescribed drugs as directed by your physician, even if you feel well
• Reduce dietary saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium and sugar in your diet by reading labels
• Lose weight if overweight
• Participate in regular physical activity at least 30 minutes a day
• Stop smoking

By taking simple steps in your life, and knowing your numbers you can prevent heart disease as well as many other chronic diseases and live a happier, healthier heart life.

Sources:

www.nhlbi.nih.gov/chd

www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp

www.cdc.gov

www.diabetes.org