Ladies, did you know that heart disease is the number 1 leading cause of death for women in the United States? In 2017 there were 299,578 cases of female death due to heart disease. This indicates that 1 in 5 female deaths in the United States is caused by heart disease. In Indonesia, it is estimated that 1.5% of the population with heart disease according to the 2018 Riskesdas (Basic Health Research) data. So, there is nothing wrong with us building awareness of heart health and the risks of diseases that follow it.
What Is Heart Disease?
Heart disease is a term used to refer to several health conditions of the heart and cardiovascular system including blood vessels. The most common condition found is coronary artery heart disease, coronary heart disease is a disorder of heart function due to a lack of blood in the heart muscle due to the narrowing of the coronary arteries. In addition, here are some other types of heart disease :
- Arrhythmia
Arrhythmia or heart rhythm abnormality is a condition in which the path of the heart rhythm is abnormal, it can be faster or slower with an irregular rhythm.
- Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a condition of narrowing and hardening of the arteries due to the buildup of plaque on the walls of blood vessels.
- Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a disease caused by abnormalities in the heart muscle that causes a reduced ability of the heart to pump blood.
- Congenital Heart Disease
Congenital heart disease is mostly caused by structural and functional abnormalities of the heart since a baby in the womb. Usually, this case occurs due to genetic inheritance from one or both parents.
- Endocarditis
Endocarditis is an infection that attacks the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart chambers, and the cardiac sac, which functions to collect and pump blood and regulate muscle cells to react to stimulation.
What are the symptoms of heart disease?
Not infrequently, heart disease is a “silent” disease, which doesn’t show any signs of abnormalities until real and visible symptoms occur, such as :
- Heart attack
A heart attack is characterized by pain in the chest, upper back, and neck. Or with symptoms of indigestion, nausea, and vomiting. As well as discomfort in the upper body and extreme fatigue accompanied by shortness of breath.
- Arrhythmia
The emergence of fluttering feelings in the chest (palpitations) in the heart results in an abnormal or regular heart rhythm.
- Heart failure
Heart failure is characterized by shortness of breath, excessive fatigue, and swelling of the legs, abdomen, or blood vessels in the neck.
Who is at risk for heart disease?
Heart disease is most common in people who have high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and people who smoke. In addition, there are several health and lifestyle conditions that can increase the risk of heart disease, such as diabetes, being overweight or obese, having unhealthy eating habits, being less physically active, and consuming too much alcohol.
The risk of heart disease, in general, can be lowered by changing your lifestyle to a healthier and more active lifestyle. Fulfilling the recommended 150 minutes of exercise per week is something you can do, choose your selection of food and drinks wisely.
Remember, Ladies, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Don't forget to read other health articles only on Fitie!
Sources :
P2PTM Kemenkes RI. (2019). Hari Jantung Sedunia (HJS) Tahun 2019 : Jantung Sehat, SDM Unggul. Kementerian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia. [online] http://p2ptm.kemkes.go.id/kegiatan-p2ptm/pusat-/hari-jantung-sedunia-hjs-tahun-2019-jantung-sehat-sdm-unggul
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2020). Women and Heart Disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [online]. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/women.htm
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2021). About Heart Disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [online]. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/about.htm
Donovan, R., & Whitworth, G. (2020). Everything You Need to Know About Heart Disease. Healthline. [online]. https://www.healthline.com/health/heart-disease