Prioritizing heart health might be challenging since there isn’t always a clear or immediate hazard, and taking preventative measures may require changing your way of life. While there are many methods to get started, such as going for a daily walk or switching to home-cooked meals that include veggies instead of fast food, we still neglect heart health. You must understand the significance of heart health to develop the motivation to prioritize it genuinely. In this article, we’ll explore the pivotal role that heart health plays in our lives with insights from renowned cardiac electrophysiologist Ian Weisberg.
Heart Disease is Preventable but Not Reversible
Even though heart disease remains the main cause of mortality for people in the US, according to the World Heart Federation, 80% of heart attacks and heart disease are preventable. Heart disease has no known cure, but you can usually prevent further damage and manage it. For example, once plaque starts to accumulate in your arteries, it won’t go away on its own with dietary and lifestyle modifications. In extreme circumstances, a physician might advise surgically removing the plaque, but in most cases, preventing additional accumulation comes first.
Heart Disease is the Leading Cause of Death in the US
Heart disease claims the lives of more Americans than all forms of cancer combined, and this statistic applies to both genders. It has been the leading cause of adult fatalities in the United States for many years. Sadly, according to the American Heart Association, 82% of Americans are aware that they can avoid a heart attack but take no action to prevent it.
Furthermore, 72% of Americans believe they have little chance of developing heart disease. It is highly improbable that 72% of Americans have no risk factors, given that obesity is a risk factor and 42.4 percent of Americans suffer from obesity. If you wish to reduce the risk of heart disease and live a longer, healthier life, you must take this data seriously.
Heart Disease Has an Impact on Your Mental State
Your heart’s health is also important because it has an impact on your emotional well-being. According to a recent Heart Matters Magazine poll, 68% of individuals with heart disease reported that their illness had a negative psychological, emotional, or mental impact on them.
The dread and anxiety associated with suffering a heart attack, stroke, or cardiac arrest — which also includes the effects those events would have on loved ones — is the main cause of this impact on mental health. Many people who suffer from heart issues worry about not being able to support their spouse or kids. Ultimately, maintaining your health not only reduces the risk of a medical emergency but also lessens the emotional and mental strain that receiving a diagnosis can cause.