Heart

HEART DISEASE

The human heart is a muscular pump that keeps blood flowing around the body. It accepts blood from the organs and tissues and pumps it to the lungs to be enriched with oxygen. The blood rich in oxygen is returned to the heart and is then pumped to the tissues of the body to supply them with oxygen. Blood filled with carbon dioxide and waste products are circulated away from the tissues to be cleaned. The heart cannot function at its best without a healthy network of blood vessels that carry the blood away from the heart and back to the heart again. These blood vessels that carry blood are called arteries and veins.

The human heart provides the power to your life, pumping 90 000 times every day. Ironically it can also be one of your greatest weaknesses. Almost 1 in every 5 deaths in South Africa are caused by heart diseases. Only HIV and AIDS claims more lives nationally.

Heart disease often progresses suddenly without any symptoms or forewarning, until a heart attack suddenly strikes. By making healthy behavior choices  and understanding your own health you can prevent heart disease or treat it early before it’s too late. 80% of heart diseases that happen before the age of 65 years can be prevented by eating a well balanced diet, keeping active, managing stress levels, obtaining and maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking, vaping or consuming any amount of alcohol. In reality, the behaviors of most people living in South Africa are becoming unhealthier.  Start living healthier to prevent developing heart disease or having a stroke and to live a long and active life.

Some less common types of heart disease can develop before birth, be inherited from parents, or result from an infection. Learn more about the different types of heart disease, what causes heart disease, the signs of a heart attack and what you should do when it happens, and how it can be treated.