Heart Disease FAQ

The following Heart Disease FAQ is designed to answer some basic questions to guide your next steps toward a happier and healthier life.

What is Heart Disease?

Heart disease is any condition that affects the functioning of the cardiovascular system. The most common is CAD or Coronary Artery Disease and is defined as an arterial blockage that disrupts or prevents the flow of blood to the heart. Other related conditions include angina, heart failure, and arrhythmia.

Heart Attack Symptoms

The major symptoms of a heart attack are:

Upper Body Discomfort - pain in the upper body, particularly in the center of the chest, back, neck, or even jaw and stomach may be a warning sign of a heart attack. The pain is typically either constant or pulsing.

Shortness of Breath - most often this symptom is combined with upper body discomfort but may begin prior to the onset of pain.

Dizziness and Nausea - cold sweats, nausea, and light-headedness are common indicators of a heart attack.

Responding to Heart Attacks

If you believe that you or someone near you is having a heart attack, time is of the essence. Call 9-1-1 immediately to notify emergency responders of the occurrence.

Reducing Heart Disease Risks

Understanding the risks of heart disease is the first step toward prevention. Common risk factors include inactivity, obesity, high blood pressure, increased cholesterol, and excessive drug and alcohol use. Take control of these and other risk factors by maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regimen, monitoring blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol levels, and reducing risky lifestyle behaviors like smoking and drinking.

How Significant is Heart Disease?

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US. Costs due to medical treatment and lost productivity exceed 450 billion dollars annually.

Use this heart disease FAQ to enhance your knowledge and promote a healthier, happier lifestyle for you and your loved ones.