Heart-attack deaths have fallen 60 percent in four decades. Still, millions of Americans suffer from cardiovascular diseases linked with heart attacks and strokes.
How healthy is your heart? Find out more by taking this quiz.
1. We've made progress in reducing the toll of heart disease. And it's no longer a major cause of death in the U.S.
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Heart disease is still the number 1 cause of death in the U.S. Progress has been made but is slowing down. This is likely because more and more people have major risk factors for heart disease. These include obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
2. Heart disease kills more women than breast cancer.
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More women die from heart disease than breast cancer. Heart disease causes 1 in 3 women’s deaths every year. This is about 1 woman dying every minute.
3. No clinical studies have shown that stress plays a role in heart disease.
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The link between mind and body is getting clearer. Studies following Japanese earthquakes, for instance, found heart attacks caused more deaths than injuries during and just after tremors.
4. An aspirin can help prevent another heart attack or stroke.
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Experts advise that many older adults who have a history of a heart attack or stroke take a daily low-dose aspirin. This may be a "baby aspirin." Or it may be half of an adult aspirin. This is to help prevent blood clots in coronary arteries. For most adults with no history of heart attack or stroke, aspirin is no longer advised to prevent a first heart attack or stroke. Your healthcare provider may advise aspirin if you are age 40 to 59 and are at a higher risk for heart attack or stroke. But they would not advise aspirin if you are at increased risk of bleeding. Talk with your provider before taking any aspirin. Experts warn that daily aspirin isn't for everyone. This is especially true for people who take blood thinners, are likely to have digestive irritation, or are at risk of bleeding. Ask your provider. Remember that aspirin and cholesterol-lowering medicine are no substitute for lifestyle changes. The most important ways to prevent heart disease and stroke is to live a heart-healthy lifestyle. This includes a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and no smoking.
5. Sexual activity is dangerous for people with heart disease.
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The actual stress on the heart is fairly mild. But check with your provider for guidance before you resume sexual activity after a heart attack.
6. Denial can be an important component of heart disease.
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A lot of information is available about risk factors for heart disease. These include age, smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, hypertension, diabetes, and family history. But many people deny that these factors will affect their life.
7. If you have a risk factor for heart disease, your chances of reducing your risk are minimal.
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If you have 1 risk factor, you should address it. But in most cases, multiple risk factors do the damage. However, even addressing only 1 or 2 of your risk factors can cause a dramatic improvement in your health and reduce your risk.
8. For a healthy heart you must exercise strenuously each day, just like an athlete.
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Many people don't exercise. They believe that it will do no good unless they perspire heavily and gasp for breath. This is not true. Work on getting at least 30 minutes on average of moderate- to high-intensity physical activity most days of the week.
9. If you think you might be having a heart attack, you have 2 hours to decide what to do.
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Lives can be saved if people act sooner. If you suffer chest discomfort or shortness of breath, don't wait! Call 911 and get to the nearest emergency room. If you think someone is having a heart attack, call 911 instead of driving the person to the ER. Extra time increases the chances for death or lasting damage. Medicines that break up blood clots can be given quickly at a hospital. This can possibly save your life.
