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Who's at Risk?
Who's at Risk?
We all know that cardiovascular disease is the number
one killer in North America—but who is at risk?
The
figures are frightening. According to some estimates, 58.8
million U.S. citizens suffer from some form of cardiovascular
disease (CVD), and in 1996, this represented 41 percent of all
deaths. In Canada, in 1997, heart disease accounted for 36
percent of all deaths.
Although CVD is often thought to
primarily affect men and older people, it is a major killer of
women and people in the prime of their lives. More than half
of all CVD deaths each year occurs among women, and it is the
leading cause of death among Americans in middle age. The rate
of premature deaths due to CVD is greater among
African-Americans than among white Americans.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD)CVD is a big subject. It
encompasses illnesses concerning the heart and blood vessels,
principally heart disease, high blood pressure, and
stroke.
Heart disease
Heart disease (also known as coronary
artery disease or coronary heart disease) occurs when the
blood vessels that supply blood to the heart (the coronary
arteries) are narrowed or blocked. This is generally caused by
a hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and encompasses
ischemia (not enough oxygen to the heart, resulting in angina,
or a pressing or squeezing chest pain), heart palpitations
(irregular heartbeats), and shortness of breath. If the
coronary artery is blocked, it results in a heart
attack.
Heart disease is the single largest killer of
American males and females, with those over the age of 65 most
at risk. In 1997, African-Americans were most at risk, with a
death rate of 156 per 100,000. This was followed by whites (98
per 100,000), Native Americans or Alaskan natives (76),
Hispanics (71), and Asians or Pacific Islanders (55).
High blood pressure
Blood pressure is a measure of the
force of blood against the walls of the arteries. It is read
with two numbers, systolic and diastolic, which are often just
referred to as "top and bottom." The top number, systolic,
measures blood pressure when the heart is pumping out blood.
The bottom number, diastolic, measures blood pressure between
heartbeats, that is, when the heart is not pumping but at
rest.
The usual cause of high blood pressure
(hypertension) is an increase in resistance to blood flow
through the smaller branches of the arteries, which carry
blood from the heart throughout the body. Why this happens is
unknown 95 percent of the time.
High blood pressure
causes the heart to work harder than normal and increases the
risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, damage to the
eyes, congestive heart failure, and
atherosclerosis.
High blood pressure was the primary
cause of death of more than 42,000 Americans in 1997, and was
listed as a primary or contributing cause of death in about
210,000 deaths.
One in four Americans has high blood
pressure, and of these, 31 percent are not aware that they
have it. More men than women have high blood pressure until
age 55, and at this age more and more women begin to have it.
By age 74, a higher percentage of women than men have high
blood pressure. The incidence of high blood pressure among
African-Americans is twice that of the white population;
indeed, the prevalence of high blood pressure in
African-Americans in the United States is among the highest in
the world. As a result, compared with whites,
African-Americans have a 1.3 times greater rate of nonfatal
stroke, a 1.8 times greater rate of fatal stroke, a 1.5 times
greater rate of heart disease death, and a 4.2 times greater
rate of end-stage kidney disease.
StrokeA stroke occurs when a blood vessel bringing
oxygen and nutrients to the brain bursts or is clogged by a
blood clot or some other particle. Because of this rupture or
blockage, part of the brain doesn’t get the blood flow it
needs. Deprived of oxygen, nerve cells in the affected area of
the brain can’t function and die within minutes. And when
nerve cells can’t function, the part of the body controlled by
these cells can’t function either. The devastating effects of
stroke are often permanent because dead brain cells aren’t
replaced.
Stroke is the number three killer in the
United States. In 1997, it killed 159,791 people and accounted
for about one of every 14.5 deaths. Nearly 30 percent of the
people who suffer a stroke in a given year are under age 65,
and at all ages, more women die of stroke than men.
In
1997, strokes killed nearly twice as many African-Americans
(42 per 100,000) as whites or Asians and Pacific Islanders (24
per 100,000) and more than twice as many Native Americans (20)
and Hispanics (19).
What’s responsible and what to doWhy we have these
cardiovascular problems is not a difficult question to answer:
lifestyle. Cardiovascular diseases can be easily prevented
through diet and a healthy lifestyle. Although some things we
cannot change—our age, gender, and ethnicity—we can take
active steps to reduce our risk by avoiding lifestyle
decisions which lead to increased risk.
Smoking is
perhaps the greatest risk factor. If you smoke, you have twice
the chance as a nonsmoker of having a heart attack. Stop
smoking!
Cholesterol levels are one of the bad boys of
CVD risk. As LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol) levels
increase, CVD risk increases. You can help maintain healthy
cholesterol levels by watching your dietary cholesterol,
eating healthy fruits and vegetables, and
exercising.
Obesity is a major problem in North
America, and a risk factor for cardiovascular problems. Those
who are overweight are more likely to develop heart disease
and stroke even if they have no other risk factors. Obesity
has a negative influence on blood pressure and cholesterol and
may lead to diabetes. The obvious thing to do is lose weight,
which means to cut your caloric intake and burn more calories
through activity.
A lack of exercise goes hand in hand
with obesity. Regular aerobic exercise plays a significant
role in preventing CVD, and even “easygoing” exercise is
beneficial if done regularly. Exercise can help control blood
cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity. Find something you like to
do and do it!
Stress may also be a contributing factor
to CVD. Research indicates that there is a relationship
between stress and the risk of developing coronary heart
disease. This may be because stress releases certain chemicals
that can increase heart rate and raise blood pressure. Stress
also contributes indirectly to CVD, as people under stress may
smoke and drink more than those who lead a stress-free life.
Strive for less stress in your family and work situations, and
when stress does strike, listen to relaxing music, meditate,
or pray. Find some quiet time.
Supplementing your dietA healthy diet goes a long way
in maintaining your cardiovascular health, but certain
supplements can provide you with an additional
edge.
Supplements (and foods) high in antioxidants may
help prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD). This is because
free radicals play a role in atherosclerosis, and antioxidants
combat free radicals. Garlic
and ginkgo
biloba both aid circulation in general, and garlic has
been shown to reduce cholesterol levels and decrease blood
pressure. Coenzyme
Q10 helps in the manufacturing of energy, and has been
found to be useful in those with heart problems. Fish oil
reduces triglyceride (a type of fat) levels and may help
reduce incidences of coronary heart disease. Tocotrienols
reduce cholesterol levels and may help prevent breast
cancer. |
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If you have any questions, please call us at
1-800-627-4689 or send an email to
info@aimthisway.com
AIM This Way
19 Pemberton Street
Cambridge, MA
02140
Product prices and charges are subject to change without notice.
AIM products are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, mitigate or prevent a disease or illness. Results may vary per person.
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