Heart Disease Symptoms and Prevention

With heart disease on the rise in North America, it is vital to know the warning signs of heart disease before its too late - it could save your life. There are several warning signs of heart disease, and they include the following.
Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or comes and goes. The feeling can come in the form of pressure, squeezing or a feeling of fullness of the chest. Heart attacks are often also accompanied by pain in other parts of the body, such as the neck, back, jaw, arms or stomach. Heart attacks can also cause shortness of breath, either while you are experiencing chest discomfort, or before the chest pain occurs. Other symptoms can include nausea, sweating and lightheadedness. It is important to note that in women, these signs are often less severe.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you should see your doctor immediately. Many times there is nothing to worry about, but you should always check with a doctor when chest discomfort is involved just in case.

If you are experiencing these symptoms while at home, you should immediately call 911, or have someone call for you, and lay down in a comfortable position. If you are already on heart medication, take your normal dose, and take an aspirin because aspirin will thin your blood and allow oxygen to get to your heart. Do not take other pain medications such as Advil or ibuprofen. Then just try to relax while help arrives.

While heart disease can be hereditary, there are many things you can do to try to lower your risk of developing the disease. Even if all of your other family members have had heart disease, it doesn't mean you have to get it too. Things you can do to help lower your risk are eating a better diet including lots of vegetables, whole grains, fruit and low fat protein. You should also try to cut out fast foods and junk foods as these significantly increase ones risk of developing heart disease. Even if you are going to order a salad at a fast food restaurant make sure the salad dressing you get is low in fat and trans fats. You should also make an effort to exercise at least 3 times a week for 30 mins each time. You should also limit your alcohol consumption and quit smoking. All of these things are going to help lower your chances of getting heart disease.