Being Heart Smart is a Start...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that heart disease in the United States has decreased by 50% in the last 20 years. This is mainly due to the improvement in medical treatment, and a risk factor reduction.

These medical advancements are estimated at saving 341,000 lives that in the 1980's would have been lost to heart disease.

Medical Researchers are optimistic about lowering the number of heart disease deaths with the introduction of progressive medication. They have seen an intensive decrease in patients suffering from high cholesterol, and a positive increase in the control of blood pressure in heart attack patients. 

You would think that with the significant decline in smoking rates, along with a patient's diligent approach to following their Medical Practitioner's advice, that an unpredictable heart attack would be a thing of the past. Unfortunately, there is still no definitive way to tell when the old ticker decides to stop ticking!

Tim Russert, NBC's "Meet the Press" anchor died on Friday, June 13th, 2008 of a massive heart attack.

Mr. Russert had been diagnosed with coronary artery disease, however, he was active in attempting to reduce the risks of a fatal heart attack; he exercised, and took the prescribed medication. He was only 58 years old!

When cholesterol plaque becomes inflamed and bursts, it sends blood clots and debris downstream to lodge in arteries that supply the heart with blood. This sudden blockage causes the heart's electrical system to short-circuit, creating a chaotic electrical storm. The heart quivers, and stops pumping blood to the rest of the body, most importantly, the brain.

Cardiovascular diseases in American adults are a widespread problem. Men between the ages of 20-39 years have a 14.8% risk, whereas women are only at 9.4%. At 80 years and older, women tend to have an increased risk up to 92%, as opposed to men at 83%.

The standard risk factors for heart disease are: blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, stress, diet, exercise, abdominal obesity, and cholesterol.

Unfortunately, despite the advances in research this era, many heart attacks are unpredictable. Half of all heart attacks occur in people with no risk factors, and 20% with no major risk factors.

You can drastically reduce the odds of having a heart attack by reducing the risk factors.

On a daily basis: try to eat well, increase your intake of seafood a few times a week, avoid fatty foods, do not smoke, incorporate a regular exercise regimen into your lifestyle.

It is a cruel irony that Mr. Russert should die a couple of days shy of Father's Day; he was an eloquent champion of fatherhood. And how unjust that he should miss the remainder of such an historically, exciting presidential election, when he loved the "sport of politics" so passionately. 

One consolation in the unfortunate passing of Tim Russert was that he died doing something that he loved; recording voiceovers, from his desk, for "Meet the Press!" 

Heart disease is the leading cause of death, and disability, in the United States. 

Don't be ignorant to the fact that 50% of us are walking, ticking time bombs!

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