What Does Your Heart Rate Say About Your Health?
How long can you live with heart disease?
In the United States, approximately 92.1 million adults have a form of heart disease or have problems that are related to stroke. In fact, one in seven deaths in the U.S. is attributed to heart disease. While these statistics may seem rather grim, the truth is, if you take care of yourself you could live a long and happy life.
When you eat right, exercise, and see your doctor regularly, you don’t have to become another statistic. You can learn to manage it and still do most of the things that you enjoy.
What is heart disease?
Heart disease, also known as coronary heart disease, is the more common type of heart disease. It occurs when the heart’s blood vessels are damaged or develop a disorder. This can cause a heart attack. There is no cure for heart disease. It can be managed with certain lifestyle changes, but if left untreated, it can lead to serious problems, even death.
The term heart disease is actually used to describe several cardiovascular conditions. These diseases occur within the heart and blood vessels. They can include high blood pressure, rheumatic heart disease, stroke, and angina or chest pain.
How to prevent heart disease.
Cardiac problems are not uncommon, but there are very preventable. Even if you already have heart disease, you can still control its progression by making several lifestyle changes, including:
- Quit smoking
- Exercise regularly
- Get enough sleep each night
- Reduce your stress levels
- Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats
- Avoid heavy drinking or binge drinking
If you have been diagnosed with heart disease, taking these steps can help you live longer and avoid serious complications like heart attack or stroke. As a bonus, you’ll be healthier, feel better, and have more energy, so it’s a win all the way around.
Life expectancy for heart disease patients.
Simply put, if you take care of yourself and make the necessary changes, you can live a long, full life in spite of your heart disease diagnosis. It could add years, even decades, to your life. On the other hand, if you pursue a high-risk lifestyle you could find yourself in serious trouble. This could lead to a heart attack or stroke that could leave you sick, disabled, or even dead. Those few moments of fun aren’t worth it; the cost is too great.
Once you have a cardiac event like a stroke or heart attack, your life expectancy decreases. Each time it takes a little more out of you and makes you a little bit weaker. It gets harder and harder to come back from it.
If you have heart disease or think you do, call the professionals at Tri-City Cardiology. Set up your appointment today by calling our office or completing our convenient email web form so you can speak to one of our knowledgeable, friendly staff members.
Heart disease is not something to take lightly. Don’t wait, call today.
Related posts
