The heart is the engine that makes the human body go. It pumps blood from head to toe, powering our organs and circulating oxygen throughout our body. The blood the heart sends to our brain allows us to think and solve problems. The heart does all this repeatedly, day in, day out. In fact, the human heart beats 100,000 times a day. Over a typical lifetime, that works out to about 2.5 billion heart beats!
February is American Heart Month, an important opportunity each year to remind one another of the importance of taking good care of our hearts. That means detecting any problems early so they can be addressed, as well as making the best lifestyle choices to keep our hearts strong and healthy for the long run.
For Privia Medical Group North Texas (PMGNTX) physicians, helping patients take care of their hearts is a top priority. Our primary care providers stay on top of key cardiac health indicators like blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood sugar, providing treatment when needed. For patients who need special medical attention for their heart, our team of cardiologists are here to help. PMGNTX also has several vascular surgeons who can help treat patients diagnosed with specific forms of heart disease, like atherosclerosis.
A Major Health Threat, but Many Signs of Progress
Heart disease, also called cardiovascular disease, encompasses several different types of heart conditions. The most common form of heart disease is coronary artery disease.
An American adult is more likely to die of heart disease than any other single cause. The leading cause of death for American men and women, heart disease takes a life every 34 seconds. In 2023, more than 900,000 people died of heart disease, accounting for one out of every three deaths.
These are sobering statistics, no doubt about it. However, there are many reasons to be optimistic about the fight against heart disease.
“Medical advancements have resulted in the prevention or delayed onset of many forms of heart disease,” explains Dr. Scott Ewing, a Fort Worth cardiologist. “Prescription medications, as well as various procedures, have also made certain forms of heart disease manageable conditions that do not interfere with daily life.”
Additionally, a better understanding of the root causes of many types of heart disease – and their relationship with lifestyle choices – has helped people make better, heart-healthy decisions.
Types of Heart Disease
There are many types of heart disease. These are some of the more common forms:
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the most common form of heart disease and is often the root cause of heart attacks and other heart problems. CAD was responsible for more than 371,000 deaths in 2022.
CAD occurs when plaque – deposits of cholesterol and other substances – build up in the coronary arteries, the arteries that supply blood to the heart. When blood flow to the heart is impeded over a long period of time, the heart becomes weakened and heart failure can result. If blood flow is completely cut off, a heart attack will occur. CAD can also cause blood clots, which may lead to stroke.
Chest pain and discomfort, also called angina, is the most common symptom associated with CAD. Of course, chest pain can be caused by other things, such as acid reflux. Additionally, some people with CAD may never experience any symptoms and the first indication they have heart disease is when they suffer a heart attack.
Heart Attack
In the time you have been reading this article, someone in the United States has had a heart attack. Each year, more than 800,000 Americans suffer a heart attack. About one in four of these are “repeat” heart attacks, meaning the person has had at least one heart attack in the past.
Also known as a myocardial infarction, a heart attack occurs when a portion of the heart suddenly receives inadequate blood flow. The longer the heart goes without the required amount of blood flow, the greater the damage that will be done to the heart.
Since time is of the essence, everyone should recognize the signs of a heart attack and know when to seek immediate medical attention:
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck or back
- Feeling weak, light-headed or faint (this is more common in women)
- Pain or discomfort in arms or shoulder
- Shortness of breath
If you or someone around you suddenly begins to experience one or more of these symptoms, call 911 immediately. The sooner you seek and receive medical attention, the greater your odds of recovering from a heart attack.
Heart Attack Deaths have Plummeted
According to Stanford Medicine research, heart attack deaths have dropped nearly 90% since 1970 – a stunning achievement. Why is that?
Medical knowledge has increased substantially over the last fifty years. It is understood that every second counts after a heart attack and medical intervention within 90 minutes is essential. Stanford Medicine found that the following developments have all contributed to a decrease in heart attack deaths:
- Heart bypass surgery
- Stents that help keep arteries open and blood flowing
- Statin medications that reduce levels of harmful cholesterol
- Better management of diabetes
- Use of aspirin in certain higher-risk patients (only with your doctor’s guidance)
- The public’s knowledge of CPR
- Defibrillators in public places that can be used in emergency situations
- Significant decrease in smoking rates
Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome
In 2023, the American Heart Association identified a new cardiovascular condition, cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome (CKM). CKM observes the linkage between diabetes, obesity, heart disease and kidney disease.
It’s been well-known for years that diabetes and obesity are major risk factors for developing heart disease. A CKM diagnosis may help guide a patient’s treatment for conditions such as kidney disease or obesity with the goal of preventing heart disease down the road.
Other Forms of Heart Disease
- Arrhythmia: Arrhythmia occurs when the heart beats irregularly. Arrhythmia increases the risk of blood clots and stroke.
- Atherosclerosis: This is the narrowing of the arteries as a result of plaque buildup.
- Cardiomyopathy: This condition results from the stiffening or enlargement of the heart muscle, which can cause inadequate blood pumping. Cardiomyopathy can result from many factors, including genetic ones. Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a key risk factor for this condition.
- Heart failure: Heart failure – also called congestive heart failure (due to the buildup of fluids in the lungs, limbs and liver) – results from the gradual weakening of the heart muscle. The heart is still beating but no longer pumps blood correctly.
- Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD): When the arteries that supply blood to the arms and legs narrow or stiffen because of atherosclerosis, the blood and oxygen flow to the limbs can be diminished or even blocked. This can lead to numbness, tingling and pain in the legs and arms.
Heart Disease Risk Factors
There are three broad categories of heart disease risk factors.
Category 1: Risk factors we can’t control
- Family history: Genetics plays a role in many health conditions, including heart disease.
- Age: The older we get, the greater our risk of heart disease.
Category 2: Medical conditions we can manage or prevent
High cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy, naturally occurring substance in our bloodstream. Our bodies need some cholesterol to help build healthy cells and aid in the digestive process.
Cholesterol is transported through the bloodstream by what are known as lipoproteins. There are two types of lipoproteins, low-density (LDL) and high-density (HDL). LDL is often referred to as “bad cholesterol” and HDL as “good cholesterol.”
LDL cholesterol is bad for us because it contributes to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can lead to coronary artery disease, angina and heart attack.
Conversely, the higher your HDL is, the better. HDL transports cholesterol and fat through the blood and to the liver, so they can be eliminated from the body.
Triglycerides, a type of fat found in the blood, can also be harmful to cardiovascular health if they are too high
Cholesterol Screenings & Treatment
A cholesterol screening, a simple blood test that measures cholesterol and triglyceride levels, will determine if your levels are in the normal range. Everyone should receive cholesterol screenings periodically:
- Children between the ages of 9-11
- Young adults between the ages of 17-21
- Adults every 4-6 years, if no history of heart disease
- Adults with a history of heart disease should visit with their physician about how often to be screened.
If your LDL levels are elevated, you may be able to bring them down by making dietary adjustments. Eating less saturated fat, the type of fat found in meat and dairy, can help improve cholesterol levels. Trans fats are found in many processed baked goods, such as cookies and doughnuts, as well as some fried foods. Trans fats are the worst type of fat to consume, as they raise LDL cholesterol while reducing HDL levels.
HDL levels can also be elevated through regular exercise.. If diet and exercise alone are insufficient to bring cholesterol levels into a healthy range, your physician may prescribe a statin.
High blood pressure
Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure can also be influenced by genetics. Like cholesterol, there are things we can do to reduce risk. See our companion article this month about hypertension (link).
Diabetes & prediabetes
Sustained levels of high blood sugar leads to prediabetes and eventually, diabetes. Genetics may play a role, but we can also reduce our risk for these conditions.
Diabetes is a disorder of the metabolism, meaning the body is not properly using the food it is consuming. Under normal circumstances, our liver breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, also known as blood sugar. The liver releases the glucose into the blood stream. Meanwhile, the pancreas, a gland located near the stomach, produces insulin, which is a hormone that helps the body’s cells absorb the sugar in the blood. Our cells then use the glucose for energy. If a person’s cells are unable to absorb enough glucose, blood sugar levels rise. This can lead to diabetes.
Your doctor can check your blood sugar level with a simple blood test, and there are several things that can be done to lower it if it’s too high. Some foods should be avoided or eaten only in moderation. This includes certain carbohydrates, such as white flour products like bread and pasta, as well as white rice. Sugary drinks, including soda and fruit drinks, can also cause blood sugar levels to spike. Getting regular exercise and remaining hydrated are important keys to keeping blood sugar levels in check.
All adults should have their blood sugar levels checked periodically:
- Men and women age 45 and older, every three years
- Men and women ages 19-44, if overweight or obese
- Women who have had gestational diabetes
Overweightness and obesity
Some people are predisposed to weighing more, which can make losing weight challenging. Yet, there are steps that people can take to shed pounds and reduce their risk of heart disease. This includes diet and exercise, as well as medical interventions, if necessary, such as weight-loss surgery and prescription medications. The growing use of GLP-1 medications is helping many patients lose weight and keep it off.
Category 3: Lifestyle factors that increase risk for heart disease
- Smoking & vaping: Smoking is a known risk factor for heart disease. Vaping is also unsafe.
- Stress: Too much prolonged stress is hard on the heart.
- Lack of sleep: Not getting enough sleep increases stress, can lead to weight gain and disrupts your body’s natural repair process.
- Excessive alcohol consumption: Too much alcohol contributes to high blood pressure and weight gain.
- Unhealthy diet: Eating too many fried, processed, sugary or fatty foods is bad for your heart health and leads to weight gain.
- Sedentary lifestyle: Sitting for extended periods of time contributes to multiple health conditions that lead to heart disease.
“This may seem like an overwhelming list of things to keep track of but remember, nearly all of these factors are interrelated, as seen in the following chart,” says Dr. Ewing. “For example, losing weight through better diet and more exercise positively impacts your cholesterol, blood pressure and risk of diabetes. Exercise and better diet help you sleep better, which in turn helps you lose weight and gives your heart some needed rest.”
Heart Disease Risk Matrix
RISK FACTOR | LEADS TO | MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS | LIFESTYLE ADJUSTMENTS |
| High Cholesterol | Coronary Artery Disease Atherosclerosis Heart attack | Prescription drugs (statins) | Increase physical activity Improve diet Stop smoking |
| High Blood Pressure | Damage to heart and arteries Heart attack Angina | Prescription drugs | Improve diet; reduce salt intake Increase physical activity Reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption Stop smoking |
| Diabetes & Prediabetes | Damage to heart CKM | Prescription drugs, including GLP-1s & insulin | Lose weight Improve diet Increase physical activity |
| Smoking & Vaping | High cholesterol High blood pressure Coronary Artery Disease Atherosclerosis Heart attack COPD Cancer Stroke | Prescription drugs (to disrupt nicotine addiction) OTC nicotine replacement therapy | Quit! Your doctor will help you! |
| Excessive Alcohol Consumption | High blood pressure Arrhythmia | Seek medical help if you have trouble cutting back | Reduce or stop drinking: men should have no more than 2 drinks per day; women no more than 1 |
| Overweightness & Obesity | High cholesterol Diabetes High blood pressure CKM | If lifestyle adjustments are not sufficient, medication, such as GLP-1s, or weight-loss surgery may be an option | Improve diet Increase physical activity |
| Stress | High blood pressure | Ask your doctor if you need help reducing stress | Get more sleep Eliminate or reduce stressful situations Meditate Exercise |
Take Action to Protect Your Heart
The human heart is a wondrous organ – it dutifully beats all day, every day of our lives, making our bodies and mind go. We owe it to our heart to take care of it! Here’s what you can do right now to keep your heart in good shape for years to come:
- See your doctor: If it’s been a while since you’ve seen your primary care provider, make an appointment today. Your doctor can check key heart health indicators, such as cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. If there is an issue, it’s far better to catch it and treat it early!
- Don’t ignore chest pain or other potential signs of a heart attack: If you begin to experience signs of a heart attack, do not ignore them – seek medical attention immediately.
- Assess your lifestyle: Are there things you could do differently that would help your heart remain healthy, like eating better, moving more, drinking less? Improvements in any of these categories will pay dividends for your heart and overall health.
“We only have one heart, and we need to take care of it,” says Dr. Ewing. “The good news is that thanks to advances in medicine and overall knowledge of the heart, it’s easier than ever to do this – and your doctor is there to help you.”
This article has been reviewed and approved by a panel of Privia Medical Group North Texas physicians.
This article contains information sourced from:
