State of the Heart
According to a report from the state's Office of Public Health, heart disease is the leading cause of death in Louisiana. Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) refers to a class of diseases that affect the heart and/or blood vessels. Louisiana has the ninth highest rate for CVD.
The following diseases are included:
- Arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries
- Coronary artery disease, which occurs when the heart's arteries become blocked by cholesterol deposits
- Heart failure
- Hypertension, or high blood pressure
- Endocarditis, an infection of the heart muscle and valves
- Diseases of the aorta-major artery leading for the heart and its branches
- Other related conditions
The CVD death rate in Louisiana was 12% higher in 2002 than the national rate and accounts for 35% of all deaths in the state. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer and reason of disability for women in the United States.
Individuals with a family history of heart disease should know the risk factors and what to do to reduce their risk. Smoking and obesity are two major risk factors, yet more than 60% of Louisiana adults were considered to be obese or overweight in 2003. Other factors include age, family history, low physical activity, high blood pressure, diabetes, hormone replacement therapy, stress/depression, gum disease or sleep deprivation.
Warning signs of a heart attack are not always sudden and severe. Responding quickly is important and greatly influences recovery. Most heart attacks will start slowly and the person will have mild pain or discomfort. Often the person is not sure what is happening and may wait too long to seek medical help.
Discomfort in the center of the chest that continues for more than a few minutes or discomfort that goes away and comes back are typical signs of a heart attack. The discomfort can feel like pressure, squeezing or fullness. Other possible symptoms are shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
Louisianians are encouraged to educate themselves about their risk factors and make necessary life changes to lower their risk of CVD.