How to Detect Early Heart Disease and Save Your Life
Heart Disease is #1 Cause of Death in Both Men and Women
Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease, killing nearly 380,000 people annually.
About 600,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year – that’s 1 in every 4 deaths.
You may hear from time to time that someone you know passed away suddenly, and it turns out the cause was a heart attack. Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence in people with heart disease. Heart disease is known as a silent killer. You may not have any symptoms at all until you are actually having a heart attack, and by then it’s often too late.
So what can you do to protect yourself from having a heart attack? How do you know if you are at risk? Today we are going to address these issues.
What is Coronary Artery Disease?
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a result of plaque buildup in the arteries, called atherosclerosis, which blocks blood flow to the heart and increases the risk for heart attack.
Signs You are Having a Heart Attack
It’s important to catch the signs of a heart attack as soon as possible so that you can get emergency help. Call 911 if you experience any of the warning signs:
- Chest discomfort (Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes – or it may go away and then return. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.)
- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body (pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach)
- Shortness of breath
- Breaking out in a cold sweat
- Nausea
- Lightheadedness
Why a Heart Scan Can Save Your Life
You may be thinking, “How do I know if I have plaque or a blocked artery?” A heart scan is the only non-invasive way to determine whether you have coronary artery disease. If you find out that you have plaque buildup, then you can do something to reverse it. It’s best to catch it as early as possible.
If you are over 40 years old, then you should have a heart scan performed. At Hotze Health & Wellness Center, we offer heart scans with an EBCT scanner. EBCT is non-invasive, open, and safe, and emits the lowest radiation in the CT industry. Have peace of mind knowing that heart disease can be detected, safely and comfortably, in its earliest stages.
Ways to Prevent (and Reverse) Heart Disease
There is no time like the present to do all that you can to prevent and reverse heart disease:
- Eat a healthy diet of organic fruits and vegetables
- Exercise regularly
- Get control of your stress
- Quit smoking
- Reduce or eliminate alcohol intake
- Restore and Balance Hormones
- Detox
Supplements for a Healthy Heart
Adding heart-healthy supplements to your daily regimen can also help protect your heart:
Watch as Dr. Hotze discusses the importance of a heart scan for the early detection of heart disease:
Schedule Your Heart Scan Today
If you have not had a heart scan, then call us today to schedule your heart scan at 281-579-3600. Don’t wait – having a heart scan can save your life!
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