The troubling truth of heart disease





The Troubling Truth of Heart Disease
















The Troubling Truth of Heart Disease.


Heart disease, or also known by cardiovascular disease, is one of the most common

causes of death today. “CVD claims more lives each year than the next four leading causes of

death combined (cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, accidents, and diabetes)” (Donatelle,

2011, Health: The Basics, Green Edition, Ninth Edition, p. 353). Cardiovascular disease refers to

numerous different diseases within the cardiovascular system that affect its functioning. Some of

these consist of coronary artery disease, heart failure, cardiac dysrhythmias, heart arrhythmia and

congestive heart failure. Many of these diseases are caused by fat and other plaque building up

along the artery walls of the heart, this is known as Atherosclerosis. “This buildup narrows the

arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through.” (“What is Cardiovascular Disease?”

American Heart Association, 2011) In turn, this causes our blood pressure to rise resulting in

hypertension. This can not only pose a risk for heart diseases but also stroke, heart attacks and

kidney diseases. (“Hypertension”, Wikipedia.com, 2013)


There are a wide variety of risk factors when concerning cardiovascular disease aside

from hypertension. Some of them we are able to have control over, and we can make a change

for the benefit of our health, others we cannot control such as family history, and ethnicity. Some

ethnicities are more likely to develop diseases than others. Our age is also one of the top risk

factors. “It is estimated that 87 percent of people who die of coronary heart disease are 60 and

older.” (Understand Your Risk of Heart Attack". American Heart Association, 2013) As we get

older our bodies organs and vessels change, even...