The most recent statistics show that at least 121.5 million adults in the US suffer from a heart condition.
If you’ve ever had any experience with heart conditions, either your own or someone close to you, then you know just how serious and potentially life-threatening they can be. But what are the most common heart conditions today?
This quick guide will go over the types of heart conditions and explain their causes and possible treatments in further detail.
Symptoms of Common Heart Diseases
Heart health is always a critical concern. Symptoms of common heart diseases can vary depending on their cause. Understanding what they are can help you identify what type of heart condition you might have. It’s also useful in ensuring you’re in optimal health.
For example, some of the common symptoms of coronary heart disease include the following:
- Shortness of breath,
- Chest pain
- Palpitations and fatigue are
Arrhythmia symptoms usually manifest as an irregular or rapid heartbeat and feeling faint or dizzy. Other symptoms to watch out for include:
- Swollen feet, legs, or ankles
- Swelling in the abdomen due to congestion of the liver or intestines
- Difficulty performing physical activity
- Sudden weight gain
Early diagnosis and treatment are important for heart diseases, so seeking medical attention at the first signs of symptoms is super important. If you catch the condition early, you can make heart failure lifestyle changes that could save your life.
The Most Common Heart Conditions
Understanding the symptoms of heart issues is your first step toward caring for your health and well-being. However, knowing what common heart conditions to work to prevent is key too. Here are three common heart conditions that lead to a poor heart diagnosis today.
Coronary Heart Disease
A buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries causes coronary heart disease. The symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, and an irregular heartbeat.
Fortunately, lifestyle changes like reducing bad cholesterol levels, quitting smoking, exercising, and eating healthy can prevent coronary heart disease. You should also monitor your blood pressure and keep your stress levels low. Getting enough rest is important too.
Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral artery disease is caused by plaque buildup along the walls of peripheral arteries. This can cause problems like stroke and nerve damage if not treated.
You can help prevent PAD by eating healthy and exercising regularly. If you already have PAD, you can help make it better by quitting smoking and changing your diet. Likewise, you should also see your doctor regularly so they can check on your progress.
Unstable Angina
Unstable angina is chest pain caused by insufficient blood flow to the heart. Preventative measures for unstable angina are important. Those with it should try to:
- Eat healthy food
- Exercise often
- Take medications as per their doctor’s orders
- Not smoke cigarettes
- Drink less alcohol (if any)
As unstable angina can be a sign of a more serious condition such as a heart attack, if you have any symptoms of unstable angina, you should talk to your healthcare provider right away.
Health and Fitness Tips
The most common heart conditions affect millions of people annually. Understanding how to care for your health and well-being can help prevent these conditions from ever occurring. To learn more about how to care for yourself, check out our health and fitness articles.