Significance

• Since 1900, cardiovascular diseases have been the number one killer of Americans
  
  The American Heart Association compiles statistics annually to show the significance of heart disease and its debilitating effect on our country. According to their statistics, every 34 seconds, someone dies as a result of a heart disease, making for over 2,500 deaths every day. Every 20 seconds, someone has a heart attack and over 250,000 people die every year from heart attacks. There are almost six million hospitalizations each year from heart disease-related illnesses, causing a rise in health care costs and a deficiency of doctors for other patients. For the most part, many of the effects of heart diseases are preventable if only people would take the right precautions and watch for early warning symptoms.
  
  

Symptoms

• Knowing what symptoms to look for in catching heart disease early on is very important. Different heart diseases have different symptoms, but all heart afflictions share some common symptoms. If you are experiencing shortness of breath, a faster heart beat, palpitations, weakness and dizziness, nausea or a combination thereof consult a physician immediately.
  
  

Heart Attacks

• Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death in America. A weakened heart is a vulnerable heart, and nothing weakens a heart more than a heart attack. Many people suffer from mild heart attacks and don't even know it. If you experience any discomfort in your chest, a tightening sensation, rapid or irregular heartbeats or a sudden shooting pain in your arm, go see a doctor immediately. Do not make an appointment, rush to the emergency room. You very well could be having a heart attack.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• The American Heart Association says it very plainly: If you smoke, stop
  
  Prevention methods for heart diseases are not foolproof, but the American Heart Association gives some good ways to reduce your risk of being affected. They suggest three rules Americans should rule their lives by: choose good nutrition, avoid tobacco and be more active. Eating healthier foods will reduce cholesterol levels, stress and blood pressure. Eat more nutrient-rich foods that contain lots of vitamins. A diet filled with vegetables, fruits and whole grains would be a great start to combating heart disease. Obesity is the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases, and it can be prevented with a healthy diet coupled with plenty of exercise. The AHA suggests getting at least 45 minutes of physical activity a day. Finally, the AHA advises, very bluntly: if you smoke, quit immediately and if someone in your household smokes, ask her to quit. If you suffer from a chronic heart disease, or are recovering from one, smoking debilitates your body even more, reducing your risk of full rehabilitation.
  
  

Pharmaceutical Considerations

• Medicine will only do so much. Without proper diet and exercise, you are still at risk
  
  There are many over-the-counter medicines that can also help ward off heart disease or heart failure. The Texas Heart Institute says that blood-thinning medicines do the best job of reducing your risk of developing a heart disease or suffering from a heart attack or stroke. Blood thinners are in a class of medicines called anticoagulants. They don't really thin the blood, they merely decrease the blood's ability to clot. This reduces your risk of blood vessel blockage and improves blood flow. Ask your doctor what coagulant might be best for you. But, the Institute says, without proper diet and exercise, all the coagulants in the world won't save you from heart disease.