Heart Disease Facts
Some Basic Facts
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the number one killer of American males and females. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), approximately every 33 seconds an American will suffer some type of coronary event and almost every minute, someone will die.
- Heredity, although not a controllable risk factor, does play a role in heart disease risk. In fact, children of parents who have heart disease are more likely to develop heart disease later in life. Because individuals with a family history of heart disease are at a greater risk, it is important to focus on controllable risk factors such as not smoking, keeping cholesterol and blood pressure within a normal range, becoming physically active and maintaining a healthy weight.
Don't Wait Until It's Too Late
- Studies have shown that signs of heart disease begin developing in childhood.
- It is a well-established fact that high blood cholesterol levels play a role in the development of coronary heart disease in adults. Because studies have shown that signs of atherosclerosis begins in childhood, lowering levels of elevated blood cholesterol in children and adolescents is beneficial.
- Learn more about Cholesterol Testing...
Cholesterol Counts (Even for Children)
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Children and adolescents who have high cholesterol levels are more likely than those in the general population to become adults with high cholesterol levels.
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According to Statistics from the American Heart Association, approximately 10 percent of adolescents between the ages of 12 and 19 have "high" total cholesterol levels (over 200 mg/dl). Among children and adolescents ages 14-19 years, average total cholesterol and LDL (low density lipoproteins or "bad") cholesterol levels are higher in females than in males. These averages also are higher in non-Hispanic black children and adolescents when compared to non-Hispanic white and Mexican-American children and adolescents.
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Research with families has found that simple dietary modifications can significantly lower total and LDL cholesterol levels in parents and their children.
Choose a Heart Smart Diet
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According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), it is important to establish healthy lifestyle habits early in life -- such as healthy eating patterns -- in order to help keep the risk of heart disease low. The NHLBI has said, "everyone older than age 2 should care about cholesterol to reduce the risk of developing heart disease as an adult. Children as well as adults can improve the health of their hearts by following a low saturated-fat and low-cholesterol diet, avoiding obesity, and being physically active."
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Studies have found that 80 percent of adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 exceeded dietary recommendations for total and saturates fat. Another 49 percent exceeded recommended intakes of dietary cholesterol; subsequently, these individuals were more likely to show early signs of atherosclerosis.
Heart Attack Warning Signs
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Some heart attacks are sudden and intense - the "movie heart attack," where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:
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Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or stabbing pain.
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Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
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Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort.
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Other Signs: These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.
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If you or someone you're with has chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other signs, don't wait longer than a few minutes (no more than 5 minutes) before calling for help. Call 9-1-1. Get to St. Francis right away.
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Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get life-saving treatment. Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive-up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. The staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too.
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If you can't access the emergency medical services (EMS), have someone drive you to St. Francis right away. If you're the one having symptoms, don't drive yourself unless you have absolutely no other option.
Aim for a Healthy Weight
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According to the American Heart Association, experts convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) have said that obesity is rapidly increasing and is a threat to the health of populations worldwide. These WHO experts also noted that obesity affects adults and children alike.
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The well-known Bogalusa Heart Study found that children between the ages of 5 and 17 who were overweight were 2.4 times more likely to have elevated total blood cholesterol levels than children of normal weight. The study also indicated that of those children who were overweight, more than half (58 percent) has at least one risk factor for heart disease.
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According to health officials, approximately 25 percent of children between the ages of 6 and 19 are overweight, which may place an alarming number of children and adolescents at an increased risk for heart disease.
Physical Activity Is Also Key
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Being physically inactive is as risky as having high blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure or cigarette smoking.
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Health experts recommend at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day to reduce the risk of chronic disease, such as heart disease. Regular physical activity has dropped in high school students from 42 percent in 1991 to 29 percent in 1999.
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The American Heart Association notes that physical inactivity is more prevalent among young women then men. Blacks and Hispanics are less likely to be physically active than their Caucasian counterparts.
References
American Heart Association. "2003 Heart and Stroke Statistical Update." www.americanheart.org
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Cholesterol Education Program,
May 2001. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/ncep/index.htm
Freedman, D., Dietz, W., Sathanur, R., Berenson,G. The Relation of Overweight
Children and Adolescents: The Bogalusa Heart Study. Pediatrics. June 6, 2002.
Vol. 103. No.6. 1175-1181.
Denke, M., Adams-Huet, B., Nguyen, A. Individual Cholesterol Variation in Response
to a Margarine or Butter Based Diet: A Study in Families. Journal of the American
Medical Association. December 6, 2000. Vol. 284. No. 21. 2740-2747.
Sanchez, A., Barth, J., Zhang, L. Diet and its Relation to Early Atherosclerosis
in Teenagers. Supplement to Journal of the American College of Cardiology. February
2000. Vol. 35 Issue 2. Suppl. A 48.