Guam - U.S.A.

About 59 million Americans live with some form of cardiovascular disease, which causes more than 40% of all deaths in the United States, or 950,000 every year.
~ 50 million Americans have high blood pressure
~ 12 million live with coronary heart disease
~ 4.4 million have strokes

Cardiovascular disease includes heart disease and stroke. Heart disease and stroke cost the nation almost $260 billion annually. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for older Americans, and is the leading cause of death for all Americans age 35 and older.

Coronary heart disease (CHD), also known as ischemic heart disease, is the most frequent cause of death in the United States, accounting for 476,124 deaths in 1996.

Angina or Angina Pectoris: chest pain resulting from an insufficiency of the blood supply to the heart.

Atherosclerosis: characterized by "plaques" of fat and lipids called atheromas, which adhere to the inside walls of arteries, and impede or block the flow of blood.

Call 911 for help, or have someone else do it if you aren't alone.

Then cough vigorously. You may be able to kick an irregular heartbeat back to normal.

Grab an aspirin and chew it. The medicine will enter your bloodstream faster and may prevent the formation of a clot.

Wait for the ambulance. Don't drive yourself, as you may black out behind the wheel !

More Healthy Tips...

Angina or Angina Pectoris

Hypertension

Diabetes

Coronary heart disease is a common heart problem in the United States, accounting for over 450,000 deaths every year.

Coronary artery disease is caused by the narrowing and hardening of the coronary arteries, which provide the blood supply to the heart.

It may produce angina pectoris, myocardial infarction (death of the heart muscle cells due to inadequate blood supply) and death. Although there is no specific cure for this condition, its symptoms can be controlled to extend life and improve its quality.

Symptoms
Risk Factors
Prevention Guidelines
Treatment

Internet Resources

There is usually no symptoms at the early stages of the disease.

Burning, squeezing or tightness of the chest (angina pectoris) with radiation to the jaw, left arm or back, and ultimately heart attack are the most common symptoms of an advanced stage that requires immediate consideration.

The risk of coronary artery disease increases with:

- Smoking
- Hypertension
- Previous heart attack
- Diet rich in fat
- Family history of coronary artery disease
- Diabetes
- Lack of exercise
- Overweight
- Elevated cholesterol or LDL

- Reduce or quit smoking

- Maintain regular physical activity

- Take an aspirin a day, upon doctor’s approval. WARNING: Taking aspirin regularly can have serious effects, and only your doctor knows if it is safe for you.

- Follow an healthy diet, low in fat

- Reduce your stress level; learn how to relax.

- Follow the prevention guidelines mentioned above

- Consider making serious changes in your lifestyle

- Start an exercise program under the strict supervision of your doctor

- Consider balloon angioplasty, using a small deflated balloon inserted in an obstructed artery, wihch is then inflated to remove obstructions

- Ask your doctor about medications such as nitroglycerin, anticoagulants, calcium channel-blockers, ACE inihibitors or vasodilator drugs

- In severe cases, consider bypass surgery of the coronary arteries, to provide an alternative path for the blood flow to the heart

Heart Point Gallery: Multimedia animations of the heart and heart diseases. 1999 Heart and Stroke Statistical Update Heart Attack from A to Z Chest Pain due to angina and other causes: from MedicineNet Coronary Angioplasty: Opening clogged heart arteries (Mayo O@sis) Atherosclerosis: More ways to clear "clogged" arteries (Mayo O@sis) Coronary Heart Disease Is a Family Affair (Mayo O@sis)