Celebrate American Heart Month, This February 2019 In Morris County
How Healthcare Professionals Can Make a Difference
#OurHearts at Work
During American Heart Month in February and throughout the year, hospitals, schools, health departments, and corporations can offer educational and inspirations to employees and community members, encouraging heart health awareness and heart attack prevention tactics for women and men.
Food diaries, fitness journals, health handbooks, and healthy cookbooks are just some of the motivational and instructional products doctors, nurses, counselors, and other health professionals can use to make a difference. The most important thing Healthcare professionals can do to prevent this disease is to be knowledgeable about Heart Disease and share what they know.
What is Coronary Heart Disease?
Heart disease (CHD) is a disease in which a waxy substance called plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries. These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle.
When plaque builds up in the arteries, the condition is called atherosclerosis. The buildup of plaque occurs over many years.
Over time, plaque can harden or rupture (break open). Hardened plaque narrows the coronary arteries and reduces the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart.
If the plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form on its surface. A large blood clot can mostly or completely block blood flow through a coronary artery. Over time, ruptured plaque also hardens and narrows the coronary arteries.
The Facts
If the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle is reduced or blocked, angina or a heart attack can occur.
Angina is chest pain or discomfort. It may feel like pressure or squeezing in your chest. The pain also can occur in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. Angina pain may even feel like indigestion.
A heart attack occurs if the flow of oxygen-rich blood to a section of heart muscle is cut off. If blood flow isn’t restored quickly, the section of heart muscle begins to die. Without quick treatment, a heart attack can lead to serious health problems or death.
Over time, CHD can weaken the heart muscle and lead to heart failure and arrhythmias. Heart failure is a condition in which your heart can't pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs. Arrhythmias are problems with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat.
The Final Outlook
Lifestyle changes, medicines, and medical procedures can help prevent or treat coronary heart disease. Treatments may reduce the risk of related health problems so talk with your doctor today.
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