Our heart is one of the most important organs in our bodies. It pumps blood throughout our body and helps to keep us alive. Unfortunately, our heart can also be susceptible to disease. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. Every year, heart disease kills more people than cancer and a number of other diseases combined. Learning about common heart conditions and what to do about them is a crucial part of protecting your heart health. In this article, we will discuss some of the potential diseases of the heart and how they’re treated. Keep reading to learn more about keeping your heart healthy.
What are some potential diseases of the heart and how are they treated?
Anyone concerned about heart disease or who believes that they may have a heart condition should see a cardiologist as soon as possible. A quick search for “best cardiologist in Los Angeles” will give you a concrete example of what type of background you should be looking for in a specialist. You should look for a specialist that has a strong education from a top medical school and that has continued to learn even after completing their degree. Cardiologists who are actively involved in research are constantly striving to learn more about the latest treatments and technologies for cardiovascular disease.
Arrhythmias are irregularities in the heartbeat and they are one of the most common heart conditions to be diagnosed with. One in four Americans suffer from some sort of heart arrhythmia. They can cause the heart to beat too fast, too slow, or in an irregular pattern. This can lead to lightheadedness, shortness of breath, chest pain, and even sudden death. Most heart arrhythmias are not life-threatening and can be treated with medication or surgery, but you do need to see a cardiologist to receive a diagnosis and figure out what treatment options are available for you.
Cancers that affect the heart are relatively rare but they can be deadly. The most common type of heart cancer is myxoma, which is a tumor that forms in the heart’s chambers or valves. Other types of heart cancer include angiosarcoma, which starts in the blood vessels, and carcinoid tumors, which form in the hormone-producing cells of the gut. Treatments can vary depending on the severity and how advanced the disease is. You can learn more about possible options at a cancer treatment center, like this cancer center in Franklin Lakes, NJ.
What can you do to protect your heart health?
A heart healthy diet is one that is low in saturated and unhealthy fats, rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and low in sodium. By following a heart healthy diet, you can reduce your risk of heart disease and other chronic conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes. Following a heart healthy diet doesn’t have to be difficult. With a little planning, you can easily create meals that are both nutritious and delicious. You can talk to your doctor or to a dietician if you need some advice on how you can modify your intake and optimize your routine to protect heart health.
Lack of sleep is a serious issue that can have a negative impact on your heart health. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body is under constant stress, which can lead to a wide array of health problems, including heart disease. Sleep deprivation can cause your blood pressure to rise and your heart rate to increase, putting extra stress on your heart. To protect your heart, make sure to get enough sleep every night. If you have trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor about ways to improve your sleep habits.
Some heart health risks are out of our control, like age, gender, and family history. Still, there are a lot of heart risks are within our control. Making the right choices on a daily basis in order to protect our health is essential, no matter who you are or what condition you’ve been diagnosed with. If you’re experiencing symptoms of a heart condition, the best thing to do is to make an appointment with a cardiologist as soon as possible. If the symptoms you’re experiencing involve chest pain or are associated with heart attacks or strokes, you should go to an emergency room right away so they can ensure that you aren’t in immediate or life-threatening danger.