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What Is Cancer
What is Heart Disease?The heart is the center of the cardiovascular system, which pumps oxygenated blood to all parts of the body's organs and tissues, through arteries. Heart disease, also called cardiovascular disease (CVD), is a variety of problems affecting the cardiovascular system. It is usually caused by fat (cholesterol) build up in the arteries making it difficult for blood to flow through. This can lead to: (12) Atherosclerosis- hardening of the arteries by the buildup of cholesterol, which is also known as plaque Angina- chest pain, result of narrowing of arteries by plaque and low blood flow to the heartHigh blood pressure- pressure of blood flow in the arteriesHeart attack- blood clot blocks blood flow to the heartStroke- blood clot blocks blood flow to the brainHeart disease is the number 1 cause of death for both men and women in the United States, claiming 831,300 deaths a year and is most common in older individuals. (13) Other types of CVD include: heart failure, arrhythmia, and heart valve problems.
Cancer and AI-AN
American Indian and Alaksa Native People and Heart DiseaseHeart disease (cardiovascular disease) is the leading cause of death among American Indians and Alaska Natives. The highest heart disease death rates are in South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Counties with the highest stroke death rates are primarily in Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montanan, Wyoming, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Minnesota.In 2005: 2 out of 10 AI/AN Males died from Heart Disease.In 2005: 1 out of 10 AI/AN Females died from Heart Disease.For every 1000 AI/AN between the ages of 45-74:15 to 28 men have heart disease9 to 15 women have heart diseaseAI/AN over the age of 18: 1 in 10 have heart disease1 in 4 AI/AN suffer from hypertension, which can cause hemorrhagic strokes (the bursting of blood vessels inside the brain).Cigarette smoking is a major cause of heart disease. American Indians and Alaskan Natives have the HIGHEST population of smokers! Tobacco misuse and a lack of physical activity are significant and controllable risk factors for cardiovascular disease among AI/AN.
Lung Cancer
Am I at Risk?Risk factors for heart disease that can be reduced or removed by lifestyle changes include: (14)Smoking tobacco: smokers are 2 times more likely to develop heart disease.High blood pressure: causes the heart to work harder and becomes thick and stiff. High cholesterol: high levels of LDL or bad cholesterol mean more plaque buildup. Obesity and overweight: causes the heart to work harder and increase levels of LDL.Lack of Physical inactivity: risk for obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Diabetes: seriously increases the risk for heart disease and makes it extremely important to manage and control other risk factors.Excessive alcohol: raises blood pressure, creates irregular heartbeats, heart failure, and stroke.Illegal drug use: increase risk of heart infections, stroke, and heart attack.Stress: can lead to high blood pressure, smoking, physical inactivity, and overeating.Risk factors that cannot be removed: Family history: inherited condition(s) that contributes to heart disease risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.Age: increasing age raises the risk of heart disease.Gender: men are at greater risk than women to have a heart attack and women's risk increase after menopause.Race: Mexican Americans, American Indians, and Native Hawaiians are at greater risk for heart disease compared to Caucasians.It is important to watch for clues and signs of heart disease. Heart Attack Warning Signs: Chest discomfort: An uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of the chest. Usually lasting more than a few minutes or may go away and come back. Upper body pain or discomfort: in one or both arms, shoulder blade, back, neck, jaw, or stomach. Shortness of breathOther signs: dizziness, cold sweats, and nauseaStroke Warning SignsNumbness or weakness: usually affecting the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body Confusion: trouble speaking or understandingBlurred vision: in one or both eyes Trouble walking: dizziness or loss of balance or coordinationSevere headache: with no causeRegular visits with your doctor can help you detect heart disease before experiencing a heart attack or stroke. Also, quitting smoking, controlling blood pressure, reducing blood cholesterol levels, eating healthy foods, regular physical activities, managing stress, and weight control will improve your overall health and decrease your chances of suffering from heart disease.
Signs of Lung Cancer
Smoking and Heart DiseaseCigarette smoking is a major cause of cardiovascular disease. Smoking increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.The nicotine in cigarettes can narrow blood vessels and the carbon monoxide can damage the blood vessels inner lining making it easier for plaque to build up and block blood flow. Inhaled tobacco smoke, second-hand smoke, social smoking, and smoking without inhaling have all been linked to an increased risk for CVD.Smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to suffer from heart attacks. 40% of all people who die from smoking related causes die from cardiovascular disease. Smoking triples your risk of having a stroke, and increases your risk of having a heart attack anywhere from 2 to 6 times. Even if you already suffer from cardiovascular disease, you can improve your health by quitting smoking. Quitting can reduce the risk of stroke to that of a non-smoker after 5 years of quitting and the risk of heart disease after 15 years of quitting.
Risk Factors
Angina, Heart Attack, and StrokeAngina: (an-JI-nuh or AN-juh-nuh) is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when an area of your heart muscle doesn't get enough oxygen-rich blood. Angina isn't a disease; it's a symptom of an underlying heart problem. Angina usually is a symptom of coronary heart disease (CHD), also called coronary artery disease. (12)Warning Signs:May feel like pressure or squeezing in your chest. The pain also may occur in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back.Angina pain may even feel like indigestion. (11, 12).Heart Attack: occurs when a blood clot blocks blood flow to the heart. If the flow is cut off completely, the part of the heart not receiving the blood begins to die. It is not unusual for someone to survive his or her first heart attack, but the heart will be permanently damaged. A heart attack serves as a serious sign that lifestyle changes need to be made. (3)Stroke: Ischemic and Hemorrhagic.Ischemic stroke: occurs when the blood supply to a part of your brain is interrupted or severely reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. It is like a heart attack to your brain and within a few minutes, brain cells begin to die. This can make it harder for the person to things in the future, such as walk or talk.Hemorrhagic stroke: occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts open, usually due to hypertension (high-blood pressure). Stroke is a medical emergency and prompt treatment of a stroke is crucial. Early treatment can minimize damage to your brain and potential stroke complications. (3)
Treatment-Survival-Support
1. CDC. Heart Disease. 2009; http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/. Accessed October 6, 2009.2. Staff, M.C. Heart Disease. 2009; http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-disease/DS01120. Accessed June 10, 2009.3. ASA. What is Cardiovascular Disease? 2008; http://www.strokeassociation.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3042656. Accessed June 10, 2009.4. AHA. American Indians/Alaska Natives and Cardiovascular Diseases Statistics. 2009; http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/1237139507669AM_IND.pdf. Accessed June 10, 2009.5. CDF. Cardiovascular Disease Foundation Home Page. 2005; http://www.cvdf.org/. Accessed October 6, 2009.6. NSW. Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and smoking. 2007; http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/general/cvd.html. Accessed June 10, 2009.7. CDC. Surveillance for health behaviors of American Indians and Alaska Natives: findings from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 19972000. 2003; http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5207a1.htm. Accessed June 10, 2009.8. IHS. Trends in American Indian Health, 2000-2001. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2004.9. Casper ML, Denny CH, Coolidge JN, Williams GI Jr, Crowell A, Galloway JM, Cobb N. Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke Among American Indians and Alaska Natives. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Indian Health Service; 2005. 10. Rhoades D, Welty T, Wang W et.al. Aging and Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Older American Indians: The Strong Heart Study. 2007, JAGS 55:87-94.11. AHA. Angina Pectoris. 2009; http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4472. Accessed on October 6, 2009.12. American Heart Association. What is Cardiovascular Disease? 2010; http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Caregiver/Resources/WhatisCardiovascularDisease/What-is-Cardiovascular-Disease_UCM_301852_Article.jsp. Accessed June 21, 2010.13. American Heart Association. Heart & Stroke Statistics. 2010. http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/1265665152970DS-3241%20HeartStrokeUpdate_2010.pdf. Accessed June 21, 2010.14. American Heart Association. Heart and Stroke Facts. 2003; http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/1056719919740HSFacts2003text.pdf. Accessed June 22, 2010.
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