4 ways to improve your heart health
Here are four important ways to maximize your heart health.
Unbranded – Lifestyle, Unbranded – Lifestyle
Melissa Claire Egan, known for her roles on daytime soap operas “The Young and the Restless” and “All My Children,” revealed in late January that she had been diagnosed with coronary heart disease.
The 44-year-old actress shared her diagnosis in an Instagram post on Feb. 26.
“Thanks to early detection and medicine, I’ll be fine!” she wrote. “I’m an individual, but this is too important to share, especially for women.”
Recent projections from the American Heart Association show that 14.4% of women in the United States will experience cardiovascular disease or stroke by 2025, up from 10.7% in 2020. Coronary heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease or CAD, affects the main blood vessels that supply blood to the heart, called coronary arteries, causing reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, according to the Mayo Clinic.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, CAD is the leading cause of death in the United States and around the world. For example, in 2021, coronary artery disease caused 375,500 deaths in the country.
The disease is also very common, with more than 18 million adults in the United States living with CAD.
What causes coronary artery disease?
The Mayo Clinic explains that the buildup of fat, cholesterol, and other substances in and on artery walls typically causes coronary artery disease. “A buildup called plaque narrows the arteries.”
Although genetics can play a role in the risk of CAD, common causes of CAD include diabetes or insulin resistance, high blood pressure, lack of exercise, and smoking or smoking.
Egan said in her post that a calcium scan of her heart revealed plaque in her arteries, which led to her diagnosis.
Symptoms of coronary artery disease
The Cleveland Clinic notes that CAD is often referred to as a “silent killer,” and people can live with the disease for years without symptoms before having a heart attack.
For people with symptoms, the most common is stable angina, or temporary chest pain or discomfort, although some people may experience shortness of breath during light physical activity.
Coronary artery disease treatment
The Cleveland Clinic explains that treatment for CAD typically includes lifestyle changes, risk factor management, and medications, but in some cases, procedures or surgery may be necessary.
“Coronary artery disease cannot be reversed, but you can manage the condition and prevent it from worsening.”
