More Answers About Heart Disease

Heart disease can be a confusing problem with all of the different types of medications that are used and all of the different procedures that can be performed. In this article, we'll answer some of the more frequently asked questions about heart disease.

Question: How badly does smoking cigarettes increase your chances of developing heart disease?

Answer: Unfortunately, smoking cigarettes can really do a number on your health. There are many factors that come into play regarding your health when you are smoking cigarettes including the fact that it can decrease the amount of oxygen that the heart receives. Also, blood pressure and heart rate increase when one is a smoker, which is a major problem for those with heart troubles. Blood clotting is also increased, which can lead to a higher likelihood of having a heart attack.

Question: What is cholesterol's role in heart disease development?

Answer: Heart disease is linked to cholesterol intake due to the fact that high intake levels of cholesterol can lead to a buildup of plaque amongst the arteries that are connected to the heart. In order to limit your susceptibility to heart disease by controlling your cholesterol intake, you should ensure that you are not eating any foods that can add up to more than 300 milligrams of cholesterol per day. Cholesterol is a substance that is only found within animal products, so in order to keep your cholesterol levels low, you should maintain a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables. For those who have a high level of cholesterol due to genetics, there are certain medications that are available that can help to bring down your cholesterol levels to an acceptable rate.

Question: What are some of the treatments that are available when it comes to treating heart disease?

Answer: One of the first lines of defense against heart disease is the use of beta-blocking drugs. Drugs such as aspirin can be used in order to thin the blood and prevent blood from clotting. Nitroglycerin is another treatment option, as it is helpful when it comes to making the blood vessels relax, allowing for proper blood flow. In advanced cases of heart disease, surgery may be necessary. Some of the most common surgical options for heart disease are angioplasty and bypass surgery. In angioplasty, a balloon-like device is used in order to inflate blood vessels to a point where the plaque within them breaks away. In bypass surgery, corroded arteries attached to the heart are removed and replaced with lengths of blood vessels from elsewhere in the body, most commonly the leg.

Question: Do women and men fall victim to heart disease at the same rate?

Answer: No. Statistics have consistently shown that men are more likely to develop a case of heart disease than women. In the United States, one out of six men between the ages of forty five and sixty four can be expected to have heart disease, as opposed to one out of ten women.