Warning Signs: The Beat Goes On
Leading Cause of Death in the United States: One person dies Every 30 seconds From Heart Disease. That’s over 2600 people every single day!
Did You Know That?
· Almost 1 million Americans die of cardiovascular disease each year, which adds up to 42% of all deaths.
· Cardiovascular disease costs the nation $274 bill each year.
· Every 20 seconds a person in the United States has a heart attack.
· Almost 6 million hospitalizations each year are due to cardiovascular disease.
· Men suffer heart attacks about 10 years earlier in life than women.
· More men have heart attacks.
· Women are twice as likely to die from their first heart attack.
· African American women have the highest risk of death from heart disease.
· People who are sedentary are almost twice as likely to suffer heart attacks as are people who exercise regularly.
Warning Signs
Warning signs of heart disease in women are sometimes different from the “classic” symptoms commonly experienced by men. If you answer “yes” to any of the following questions, you may be experiencing symptoms of heart disease and should schedule an appointment with your physician as soon as possible to discuss your heart health.
· Do you experience shortness of breath frequently, with or without exertion?
· Do you feel pressure or pain in your chest that comes and goes, with or without exertion?
· Do you experience bouts of nausea that seem unrelated to your diet?
· Are you chronically fatigued?
These symptoms can be attributed to other causes, so it is important to consult your doctor with questions or concerns.
LIPID PROFILE:
A lipid profile is a detailed measure of the fats in your blood. It consists of measuring your total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) recommends a lipid profile as the initial test for coronary artery disease.
TOTAL CHOLESTEROL:
Cholesterol is one of several chemicals that form your lipid profile. Total Cholesterol (TC) is made of both “good” and “bad” cholesterol, and is a measure of the total amount of cholesterol in your blood at a given time. TC is measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). A TC of less than 200 mg/dL is desirable.
HIGH DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN – HDL
The “good” cholesterol is called High Density Lipoprotein (HDL). It removes excess cholesterol from your arteries and moves it to the liver where it can be eliminated from the body. The higher the HDL, the better. An HDL of 60 mg/dL or higher is beneficial and lowers your risk of heart disease. An HDL of 40 mg/dL or lower for men and 50 mg/dL or lower for women is considered a risk factor for heart disease.
LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN – LDL
The “bad” cholesterol is called Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL). It contributes to the buildup of fat deposits in your arteries (atherosclerosis), which can cause decreased blood flow and heart attack. LDL contains remnants of Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL), which is another carrier of fat in the blood. About 65% of the cholesterol in your blood is LDL. An LDL of less than 100 Mg/dL for persons without known cardiovascular disease is desirable. If you have a Personal history of heart disease or diabetes, or if you have
multiple risk factors, your LDL should be below 70 mg/dL.
TRIGLYCERIDES
Triglycerides (TRG) are composed of fatty acids and glycerol. Like cholesterol, they circulate in your blood, but are stored in body fat and used when the body needs Extra energy. While your triglyceride level can be significantly affected by how Recently you have eaten, total cholesterol and HDL are only slightly affected. After eating, your triglyceride level increases significantly. If your body processes the fat efficiently, the level of triglycerides will decrease naturally. Your fasting Triglyceride level should be below 150 mg/dL.
GLUCOSE
Glucose (GLU) is a measure of the sugar level in your blood. Fasting glucose levels should be below 110mg/dL. High values are associated with eating before a test and Diabetes.
RESTING EKG
An electrocardiogram, also called an EKG or ECG, is a simple test that detects and records the electrical activity of the heart. It is used to detect and locate the source of heart problems. Electrical signals in the heart trigger heartbeats. These signals start at the top of the heart in an area called the right atrium. The electrical signals travel from the top of the heart to the bottom. They cause the heart muscle to contract as they travel through the heart. As the heart contracts, it pumps blood out to the rest of the body. An EKG shows how fast the heart is beating. It shows the heart’s rhythm (steady or irregular) and where in the body the heartbeat is being recorded. It also records the strength and timing of the electrical signals as they pass
through each part of the heart.
What Is A 12-lead Electrocardiogram?
When an electrocardiogram is done, several wires, or “leads,” are usually attached to the arms, legs and chest. This is called a “12-lead ECG.” It allows a doctor to take 12 different recordings at the same time. Each lead records the same electrical impulse, but from a different position in relation to the
heart.
ABI-ANKLE/BRACHIAL INDEX
Ankle/brachial index: One of the most widely used tests for a person who has symptoms suggesting intermittent claudication is the Ankle/Brachial Index (ABI). This test compares the blood pressure in the arm (brachial) with the blood pressure in the legs. In a person with healthy blood vessels, the pressure should be higher in the legs than in the arms. The blood pressure is taken in both arms in the usual way. It is then taken at both ankles. The pressure at teach ankle is divided by the higher of the 2 pressures from the arms. An ABI above 0.90 is normal; 0.70-0.90 indicates mild peripheral vascular disease; .50 –0.70 indicates moderate disease; and less than 0.50 indicates severe peripheral vascular disease.
ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM
AAA is defined as a localized dilation of the abdominal aorta greater than or equal to twice the normal diameter. Cigarette smoking, hypertension, and family history are significant risk factors. Due to the high death rate from rupture (35-80%), elective surgical repair or implantation of an endovascular stent graft is advisable in appropriate patients. In general, patients with aneurysms 5 cm or larger in diameter, symptomatic aneurysms, or rapidly enlarging aneurysms should be considered for repair. Treatment for aneurysms between 4 and 5 cm is controversial and is currently being evaluated by multiple clinical trials. Most physicians observe aneurysms between 4 and 5 cm unless they are symptomatic or demonstrate rapid expansion.
NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT
It is now well known that there are a great many of our health issues that are related to our diet and lifestyle choices. We are now beginning to make the connection between optimum nutrition and resistance to disease with the knowledge that better eating habits and changes in lifestyle can help prevent and treat the most life threatening diseases including cancer, heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Good nutrition means giving yourself the best possible intake of food and nutrients to allow your body to be as healthy as it can be. This assessment will allow us to take a snapshot of your nutritional health and make recommendations that will help reduce your risk of heart disease.
BODY COMPOSITION
Your body is made up of water, fat, protein, carbohydrate and various vitamins and minerals. If you have too much fat – especially if a lot of it is at your waist – you’re at higher risk for such health problems as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and diabetes. That increases your heart for heart disease and stroke. Obesity is now recognized as a major, independent risk factor for heart disease. If you’re overweight or obese, you can reduce your risk for heart disease by starting a weight management program. Body fat analysis, waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) are indirect ways to assess your body composition.
What is the waist circumference?
Waist circumference is the distance around your natural waist (just above the navel). The waist sixe vary according to height and weight.
For men: less than 40 inches
For women: less than 35 inches
What is the body mass index (BMI)?