There are several diseases that are common in the United States. These diseases include cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. These diseases can be devastating to individuals and families, and they often require extensive treatment and care. In some cases, these diseases can be deadly.
Cancer is one of the most common diseases in the United States. There are at least an estimated 1,700,000 new cancer cases diagnosed and about 500,000 cancer deaths in the United States in 2018. Cancer can affect any part of the body, and there are many different types of cancer. Cancer treatment often includes surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these treatments.
However, a disease is even more dangerous and more common than cancer. That disease is heart disease.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is highly fatal in the United States, and it is responsible for about one in every four deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 610,000 people die from heart disease in the United States every year.
That’s about one in every four deaths. Heart disease includes several conditions that affect the heart, including coronary artery disease, heart attacks, congestive heart failure, and arrhythmias. Treatment for heart disease often includes lifestyle changes, medication, surgery, or a combination of these treatments.
There are many risk factors for heart disease, and some of these risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity, and family history.
Fortunately, there are things that people can do to help prevent heart disease. The first of which is to get regular check-ups.
Regular check-up
Regular check-ups are essential for everyone, but they are especially important for people at risk for heart disease. These check-ups can help identify risk factors and potential problems early on when they are most treatable. A doctor will often take a patient’s blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and weight during a regular check-up.
Often, a regular check-up can catch whether you’re unhealthy or not. But it’s not enough to catch various heart diseases. You’re going to need a private echo scan to know that. An echo scan can create a picture of your heart.
This scan is painless, non-invasive, and doesn’t use ionizing radiation (unlike x-rays). Your doctor may recommend an echo scan if you have symptoms of heart disease, such as chest pain or shortness of breath. You may also have an echo scan if you’ve already been diagnosed with heart disease to see how well treatment is working.
Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is an integral part of overall health, and it can also help reduce the risk of heart disease. A healthy diet includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. It is also important to limit saturated fat, trans fat, salt, and sugar.
If you can’t avoid sugar, consider alternative sugar such as honey. Honey is a natural source of sugar, and it has many health benefits. It can help you lose weight, lower your blood pressure, and improve your cholesterol levels.
Exercise
Regular exercise is another important part of preventing heart disease. Exercise helps to control weight, lower blood pressure, and improve cholesterol levels. It can also help to reduce stress and improve overall cardiovascular health. The CDC recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of exercise every week.
Quit Smoking
Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors for heart disease. Smoking damages the lining of the arteries and makes them more likely to become blocked. It also increases blood pressure, decreases HDL (“good”) cholesterol, and increases the risk of blood clots. Quitting smoking can help reduce the risk of heart disease, and there are a number of resources available to help people quit smoking.
Don’t think that you can get away with vaping, either. Vaping is not a safe alternative to smoking, and it can also lead to the development of heart disease.
Reduce Stress
Stress can take a toll on overall health, and it can also contribute to heart disease. Stress can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. There are a number of ways to reduce stress, such as exercise, meditation, and yoga.
Manage Diabetes
Diabetes is a significant risk factor for heart disease. People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Diabetes can also damage the blood vessels and nerves that control the heart. It is important for people with diabetes to manage their condition through diet, exercise, and medication.
Heart disease is a serious condition that can lead to death. However, there are a number of things that people can do to reduce their risk of developing heart disease. These include regular check-ups, a healthy diet, exercise, quitting smoking, reducing stress, and managing diabetes. Taking these steps can help to prevent heart disease and improve overall health.
