Every thirty-four seconds, someone in the United States is having a heart attack. Someone in the United States will die from something heart disease related every sixty seconds. More women than men die each year from heart disease. …show more content…
After a person experiences a heart attack, their life will change. They will need to make lifestyle changes, and take medications. After a heart attack the individual will make changes based on the degree of damage that has occurred since the heart attack (American Heart Association 2011).
A heart attack can also cause an ischemic stroke, which is the most common type of stroke. During an ischemic stroke the blood clot will block a blood vessel that is used to feed the brain. Brain cells will begin to die because the blood supply is being shut off. As a result of an ischemic stroke, individuals might not function like they had previously done. They might be unable to walk or even talk (American Heart Association 2011).
There are many consequences and costs associated with heart disease (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2015). While some heart disease and stroke can be fatal, others result in serious injury, disability, or decrease the quality of life for an individual. If an individual suffers from a stroke they might have disabilities like paralysis and difficulty with speech. Other symptoms include fatigue, depression, and emotional problems. There are more than three million people who report a disability from a heart disease or …show more content…
If a parent or sibling is diagnosed with heart disease, the individual’s risk is increased. Smokers are twice as likely to suffer heart attacks and more likely to die as a result than non-smokers. High cholesterol levels and high blood pressure are also risk factors of heart disease. Physical activity helps with weight control, cholesterol, and diabetes, which is why failing to exercise can increase a person’s risk of heart disease (The Heart Foundation 2015).
People who are overweight are more likely to develop heart disease and stroke than people who are at a healthy weight. Drug use and diabetes have also been linked to heart disease. People who have had heart attacks or strokes in the past are more likely to suffer in the future. Stress, depression, and anger are all negative emotions that put individuals at risk for heart disease (The Heart Foundation