Learn the lifestyle risks for heart disease and QUIT SMOKING!

The five leading causes of death in the United States are heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, stroke, and unintentional injuries. Together they accounted for 63 percent of all U.S. deaths in 2010, with rates for each cause varying greatly from state to state. The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, analyzed premature deaths (before age 80) from each cause for each state from 2008 to 2010. The authors then calculated the number of deaths from each cause that would have been prevented if all states had same death rate as the states with the lowest rates. Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Heart Disease

They found 34 percent of premature deaths from heart diseases are preventable and could prolong about 92,000 lives!  Modifiable risk factors include:

• Tobacco use
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Type 2 diabetes
• Poor diet
• Overweight
• Lack of physical activity

• Discomfort, tightness,uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes, or comes and goes
• Crushing chest pain
• Pressure or pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck, upper back, jaw, or arms
• Dizziness or nausea
• Clammy sweats, heart flutters, or paleness
• Unexplained feelings of anxiety, fatigue or weakness – especially with exertion
• Stomach or abdominal pain
• Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing

For men-symptoms of a heart attack: 

Chest pain, often right-sided chest pain, is the most common symptom of a heart attack in men. The chest pain of a heart attack is not always sudden and severe. Heart attacks in men often begin slowly with mild chest pain that comes and goes. (from healthgrades.com)

• Dull ache in your chest
• Indigestion or heartburn in your upper chest
• Pressure or a feeling of a heavy weight on your chest
• Vague discomfort in your chest

Men should also watch for unexpected signs of a heart attack such as:

• Feeling anxious, that something is wrong, or having an unusual sense of dread
• Nausea and vomiting
• Unusual sweating and cold, clammy skin
• Shortness of breath or feeling like you can’t get enough air
• Neck pain or arm pain
• Passing out or dizziness
• Feeling drained of energy or a lack of strength

Our life span is determined by a number of factors including genetics .  Lifestyle is a much greater determiner of person’s level of health and wellness. Many of  the above heart disease risks are avoidable by making changes in lifestyle.