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Your heart is one of your body’s hardest-working muscles. Did you know there is an entire month to celebrate heart health? Each February, Americans focus on their heart health during American Heart Month.
Read on to learn more about American Heart Month and heart disease.
What Is American Heart Month?
American Heart Month is a health holiday created to draw attention to heart disease. This February marks the 59th year of American Heart Month, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). During American Heart Month, you can learn all about heart disease, so you know how to detect heart disease and how to have a healthy heart.
What Is Heart Disease?
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America. Heart disease causes 1 in 3 deaths each year. Another way to think of this is that someone in the United States dies of heart disease every 34 seconds.
There are different types of heart disease. Sometimes there is a problem with your heart valves. Heart disease can also come from a problem with the blood vessels that supply your heart. You may also have heart disease from a heart attack, stroke, heart failure, or peripheral artery disease.
Luckily, you can take steps to support a healthy heart. These include:
- Staying physically active
- Not smoking
- Eating a healthy diet
- Maintaining a healthy weight
Another way to support your heart is to keep other medical conditions (like diabetes) in good control.
Symptoms of Heart Disease
If you have heart disease, you may have no symptoms. This is true in the case of high blood pressure, which can cause heart disease but usually does not have symptoms until very late. But, when heart disease symptoms are present, they may include:
- Chest pain
- Chest pressure
- Burning in the chest, like heartburn
- Pain in your neck, throat, jaw, or upper back
- Irregular, fast, or slow heartbeat
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Trouble breathing
- Feeling short of breath when lying flat
- Feeling very tired
- Getting winded with normal activities
- Weight gain
- Swelling
- Weakness or numbness in your legs or arms
Heart disease may cause other symptoms, too. Some symptoms may be less common, especially in women or people with other medical conditions. This is why it’s important to see a doctor if you are having any new symptoms.
When to See a Doctor
If you’re having any of the above symptoms of heart disease, it is time to see a doctor. Even if you have no symptoms, a doctor can help screen you for the risk factors that could cause heart disease in the future. If you have a family history of heart disease, it’s also important to talk to a doctor, even if you feel well.
How to Learn More About Heart Health
At Jai Medical Systems, we want you to have all the tools you need to live a healthy lifestyle. Visit this website to learn more about living a heart-healthy life. And to find out how to join Jai Medical Systems, contact us today.