Health Models

Definitions of Health

Health is elusive or difficult to define and ways of thinking about it have evolved over the years.

Three leading approaches include

- the"medical model",
- the "holistic model",
- and the "wellness model".

This evolution has been reflected in changing ways to measure health.

(1) The medical model was dominant in North America throughout the 20th century.

- In its most extreme form, the "medical model" views the body as a machine, to be fixed when
broken.

- It emphasizes treating specific physical diseases, does not accommodate

o mental
o or social problems well

- and, being concerned with resolving health problems, de-emphasizes prevention.

- This led logically to measuring health negatively, in terms of disease or death rates.

- The health is defined as the absence of disease and the presence of high levels of function.

- A (rather wordy) example would be:

o "A state characterized by anatomic, physiologic and psychologic integrity; ability to

perform personally valued family, work and community roles; ability to deal with
physical, biologic, psychologic and social stress..." (Stokes J. J Community 1982;8:33-41)

- Applied to population health, the medical model might define a healthy population as one in
which its members were all healthy (so life expectancy is high).

- Alternatively, the mechanical metaphor could be applied to the society itself: a healthy society
is one in which the various systems (economic, legal, governmental, etc.) function smoothly.
(2) The holistic model of health was exemplified by the 1947 WHO definition,
"a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of
disease or infirmity".

- This model broadened the medical model perspective,

- and also introduced the idea of positive health (although the WHO did not originally use that
term).

The WHO definition was unmeasurable

- as terms like well-being.

- This was less because no-one could invent ways to measure them (indeed, psychologists had
done so)
- but more because doing so required subjective assessments that contrasted sharply with the
objective indicators favored by the medical model.
- Debates over that patients should play in judging their own health.
-
o Applied to a population, the holistic model
▪ would again either sum appropriate individual indicators,
▪ or would record measures of the well-being of the population as a whole.

(3) The wellness model was championed by the WHO health promotion initiative.

In 1984, a WHO discussion document proposed moving away from viewing health as a state, toward a
dynamic model that presented it as a process or a force.

- The definition held that health is

"The extent to which an individual or group is able to realize aspirations and satisfy
needs, and to change or cope with the environment.
Health is a resource for everyday life, not the objective of living; it is a positive concept,
emphasizing social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities."

(Health promotion: a discussion document. Copenhagen, WHO, 1984.)

Wellness model has got the 7 dimensions:

- physical,
- emotional,
- spiritual,
 - intellectual,
- social,
- environmental,
- vocational

The wellness dimensions overlap and coordinate to provide rich environments for living.

- Wellness becomes a framework that is valuable for serving the wants and needs of a person
engaged in life.

Emotional

Feelings are the lens through which people view the world, and the ability to be aware of and direct
one’s feelings helps to create balance in life.

Coping with challenges and behaving in trustworthy and respectful ways signal emotional wellness,
attributes that can be encouraged through:

- peer counseling,
- stress management,
- humor/laughter
- and personal histories.

Intellectual, cognitive

Engaging in creative pursuits and intellectually stimulating activities is a proven approach to keeping
minds alert and interested.

There are many ways to stay intellectually active, including

- taking college courses,

- journaling,
- painting or joining a theater company,
- and challenging oneself with games and puzzles.

Physical

The goal of living independently is one shared by many people, and physical wellness is necessary to
achieve this.

Lifestyle choices that can maintain or improve health and functional ability include engaging in

- physical activity,
 - choosing healthy foods with adequate nutrition,
- getting adequate sleep,
- managing stress,
- limiting alcohol intake,
- not smoking,
- making appointments for check-ups and following medical recommendations.

Professional, vocational

Work that utilizes a person’s skills while providing personal satisfaction is valuable for society as well as
the individual.

Participating in the paid and unpaid workforce means maintaining or improving skills, and helping
others.

Older adults contribute to society as experienced professionals, caregiver, mentors, teachers and
volunteers.

Leisure-time vocations in the arts and through hobbies maintain vocational skills.

Social

Social interactions with

- family,
- friends,
- neighbors
- and chosen peer groups

can be valuable for maintaining health.

Personal contact by

- joining clubs, -
- traveling,
- visiting friends and family,
- engaging in intergenerational experiences like making quilts with a elementary school children

is beneficial for everyone who it touched.

Spiritual

Living with meaning and purpose in life, guided by personal values, is key to feelings of well-being and
connection to the larger world.
Group and individual faith-based activities, personal meditation, mindful exercise (yoga, tai chi) and
experiencing nature can create the opportunity for spiritual growth.

Environmental

Surrounded by natural and man-made environments, good stewardship means respecting resources by
choosing “green” processes that re-use and recycle goods.

It also means looking at ways to bring people into the natural environment and encourage active living
through urban and property designs emphasizing walking paths, meditation and vegetable gardens and
similar options.

Each of the 3 models has something to contribute, though none seems ideal.

So, all have got advantages and disadvantages.

Medical model
The advantage of the medical model is that disease represents a crucial issue facing society, and disease
states are readily diagnosed and counted. But this approach is narrow, and in extreme form implies that
people with disabilities are "unhealthy," and that health is only about physical disease and mortality.

A further potential limitation to the medical model is its omission of a time dimension. Should we
consider as equally healthy two people in equal functional status, one of whom is carrying a fatal gene
that will lead to early death? Further, if prognosis is not included, there is no virtue in prevention.

Holistic and Wellness model

The holistic and wellness models have the advantage of allowing for discrimination of people at the
higher end of functioning; they focus on mental as well as physical health, and on broader issues of
active participation in life.

They also allow for more subtle discrimination of people who succeed in living productive lives despite a
physical impairment: blind people or amputees may still be able to satisfy aspirations, be productive,
happy and so be viewed as healthy.

The disadvantage is that these conceptions run the risk of excessive breadth, of incorporating all of life.
Thus, they do not distinguish clearly between the state of being healthy and the consequences of being
healthy; nor do they distinguish between health and the determinants of health. For example, social
health may be viewed as a determinant more than a marker of health status; it is subject to influence by
very different factors.
 Physical Fitness and Wellness

Hypokinetic Diseases

Hypertension
Introduction

Your blood pressure measurement takes into account:

- how much blood is passing through your blood vessels

- and the amount of resistance the blood meets while the heart is pumping.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs

- when the force of blood pushing through your vessels is consistently too high.

What is high blood pressure?

- Narrow blood vessels, also known as arteries, create more resistance for blood flow.
- The narrower your arteries are, the more resistance there is, and the higher your blood pressure
will be.
- Over the long term, the increased pressure can cause health issues, including heart disease.
Hypertension is quite common.

- In fact, since the guidelines changed in 2017, nearly half of American adults could now be
diagnosed with this condition.

Hypertension typically develops over the course of several years.

- Usually, you don’t notice any symptoms.

- But even without symptoms, high blood pressure can cause damage to your
o blood vessels
o and organs,
▪ especially the brain,
▪ heart,
▪ eyes,
▪ and kidneys.
 - Early detection is important.
- Regular blood pressure readings can help you and your doctor notice any changes.
- If your blood pressure is elevated, your doctor may have you check your blood pressure over a
few weeks to see if the number stays elevated or falls back to normal levels.

Treatment for hypertension includes both

- and healthy lifestyle changes.

- prescription medication

- If the condition isn’t treated, it could lead to health issues, including

o heart attack
o and stroke.

How to understand high blood pressure readings

- Two numbers create a blood pressure reading.

o Systolic pressure (top number)
▪ indicates the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats and pumps out
blood.
o Diastolic pressure (bottom number)
▪ is the reading of the pressure in your arteries between beats of your heart.

Five categories define blood pressure readings for adults:

Hypotension:

- When someone’s blood pressure is too low

- Usually it is under 90/60 mmHg
- Most of the people has no symptoms

- Symptoms can be:

o They are usually disruptive

▪ Dizziness
▪ fainting

Healthy:

- A healthy blood pressure reading is less than 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).

Elevated:

- The systolic number is between 120 and 129 mm Hg,

- and the diastolic number is less than 80 mm Hg.
 - Doctors usually don’t treat elevated blood pressure with medication.
- Instead, your doctor may encourage lifestyle changes to help lower your numbers.

Stage 1 hypertension:

- The systolic number is between 130 and 139 mm Hg,

- or the diastolic number is between 80 and 89 mm Hg.

Stage 2 hypertension:

- The systolic number is 140 mm Hg or higher,

- or the diastolic number is 90 mm Hg or higher.

Hypertensive crisis:

- The systolic number is over 180 mm Hg,

- or the diastolic number is over 120 mm Hg.
- Blood pressure in this range requires urgent medical attention.
- If any symptoms like
o chest pain,
o headache,
o shortness of breath,
o or visual changes

occur when blood pressure is this high, medical care in the emergency room is needed.

A blood pressure reading is taken with a pressure cuff.

- For an accurate reading, it’s important you have a cuff that fits.
- An ill-fitting cuff may deliver inaccurate readings.

- Blood pressure readings are different for children and teenagers.

What are the symptoms of hypertension?

- Hypertension is generally a silent condition.

- Many people won’t experience any symptoms.
- It may take years or even decades for the condition to reach levels severe enough that
symptoms become obvious.
Symptoms of severe hypertension can include:

- Flushing
- blood spots in the eyes (subconjunctival hemorrhage)
- dizziness

- According to the American Heart Association,

o contrary to popular thought, severe hypertension doesn’t typically cause nosebleeds or
headaches — except when someone is in hypertensive crisis.

The best way to know if you have hypertension is to get regular blood pressure readings.

- If you only have a yearly physical, talk with your doctor about your risks for hypertension
- and other readings you may need to help you watch your blood pressure.

o For example, if you have a family history of heart disease or have risk factors for
developing the condition, your doctor may recommend that you have your blood
pressure checked twice a year. This helps you and your doctor stay on top of any
possible issues before they become problematic.

What causes high blood pressure?

- There are two types of hypertension.

o Each type has a different cause.

Essential (primary) hypertension

- Essential hypertension is also called primary hypertension.
- This kind of hypertension develops over time.
- Most people have this type of high blood pressure.

A combination of factors typically play a role in the development of essential hypertension:

Genes:
 - Some people are genetically predisposed to hypertension.
- This may be from gene mutations or genetic abnormalities inherited from your parents.

Age:

- Individuals over 65 years old are more at risk for hypertension.

Race:

- Black non-Hispanic indiviuals have a higher incidence of hypertension.

Living with obesity:

- Living with obesity can lead to a few cardiac issues, including hypertension.

High alcohol consumption:

- Women who habitially have more than one drink per day,
- and men who have more than two drinks per day,

may be at an increased risk for hypertension.

Living a very sedentary lifestlye:

- lowered levels of fitness have been connected to hypertension.

Living with diabetes and/or metabolic syndrome:

- Individuals diagnosed with either diabetes or metabolic syndrome are at a higher risk of
developing hypertension.

high sodium intake:

- There’s a small association between daily high sodium intake (more than 1.5g a day) and
hypertension.

Secondary hypertension
- Secondary hypertension often occurs quickly and can become more severe than primary
hypertension.
- Several conditions that may cause secondary hypertension include:

o kidney disease
o obstructive sleep apnea
o congenital heart defects
o problems with your thyroid
o side effects of medications
o use of illegal drugs
o chronic consumption of alcohol
 o adrenal gland problems
o certain endocrine tumors

Diagnosing high blood pressure

- Diagnosing hypertension is as simple as taking a blood pressure reading.

- Most doctors’ offices check blood pressure as part of a routine visit.
- If your blood pressure is elevated, your doctor may request you have more readings over the
course of a few days or weeks. A hypertension diagnosis is rarely given after just one reading.

Your doctor needs to see evidence of a sustained problem.

- That’s because your environment can contribute to increased blood pressure, like the stress you
may feel by being at the doctor’s office.
- Also, blood pressure levels change throughout the day.

- If your blood pressure remains high, your doctor will likely conduct more tests to rule out
underlying conditions. These tests can include:

o cholesterol screening and other blood tests

o test of your heart’s electrical activity with an electrocardiogram (EKG, sometimes
referred to as an ECG)
o ultrasound of your heart or kidneys
o home blood pressure monitor to monitor your blood pressure over a 24-hour period at
home

These tests can help your doctor identify any secondary issues causing your elevated blood pressure.
They can also look at the effects high blood pressure may have had on your organs.

During this time, your doctor may begin treating your hypertension.

- Early treatment may reduce your risk of lasting damage.

Treatment options for high blood pressure

A number of factors help to determine the best treatment option for you.

These factors include which type of hypertension you have and what causes have been identified.
Primary hypertension treatment options

If your doctor diagnoses you with primary hypertension,

- lifestyle changes may help reduce your high blood pressure.

- If lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough, or if they stop being effective,
- your doctor may prescribe medication.

Secondary hypertension treatment options

- If your doctor discovers an underlying issue causing your hypertension,

o treatment will focus on that other condition.

o For example, if a medication you’ve started taking is causing increased blood pressure,

▪ your doctor will try other medications that don’t have this side effect.

- Treatment plans for hypertension often evolve.

o What worked at first may become less useful over time.

Medications

Many people go through a trial-and-error phase with blood pressure medications.

- Doctors may need to try different medications until they find one or a combination that works
for you.

Some of the medications used to treat hypertension include:

Beta-blockers:

- Beta-blockers make your heart beat slower and with less force.
- This reduces the amount of blood pumped through your arteries with each beat, which lowers
blood pressure.
- It also blocks certain hormones in your body that can raise your blood pressure.

Diuretics:

- High sodium levels and excess fluid in your body can increase blood pressure.
- Diuretics, also called water pills, help your kidneys remove excess sodium from your body.
- As the sodium leaves, extra fluid in your bloodstream moves into your urine, which helps lower
your blood pressure.
ACE inhibitors:

- Angiotensin is a chemical that causes blood vessels and artery walls to tighten and narrow.
- ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors prevent the body from producing as much of
this chemical.
- This helps blood vessels relax and reduces blood pressure.

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs):

- ARBs block angiotensin from binding with receptors.

- Without the chemical, blood vessels won’t tighten.
- That helps relax vessels and lower blood pressure.

Calcium channel blockers:

- These medications block some of the calcium from entering the cardiac muscles of your heart.
- This leads to less forceful heartbeats and a lower blood pressure.
- These medications also work in the blood vessels, causing them to relax and further lowering
blood pressure.

Alpha-2 agonists:

- This type of medication changes the nerve impulses that cause blood vessels to tighten.
- This helps blood vessels to relax, which reduces blood pressure.

Home remedies for high blood pressure

Healthy lifestyle changes can help you control the factors that cause hypertension.

Some of the most common:

10 lifestyle changes which can make to lower blood pressure and keep it down.

1. Lose extra pounds and watch your waistline

Blood pressure often increases as weight increases.

- Being overweight also can cause disrupted breathing while you sleep (sleep apnea), which
further raises your blood pressure.

- Weight loss is one of the most effective lifestyle changes for controlling blood pressure.

- Losing even a small amount of weight if you're overweight or obese can help reduce your blood
pressure.
 o In general, you may reduce your blood pressure by about 1 millimeter of mercury (mm
Hg) with each kilogram of weight you lose.

Besides shedding pounds, you generally should also keep an eye on your waistline.

- Carrying too much weight around your waist can put you at greater risk of high blood pressure.
- In general:
o Men are at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 40 inches (102 centimeters).
o Women are at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 35 inches (89
centimeters).

These numbers vary among ethnic groups.

2. Exercise regularly

Regular physical activity

- such as 150 minutes a week,

- or about 30 minutes most days of the week

can lower your blood pressure by about 5 to 8 mm Hg if you have high blood pressure.

It's important to be consistent because if you stop exercising,

o your blood pressure can rise again.

If you have elevated blood pressure,

- exercise can help you avoid developing hypertension.

If you already have hypertension,

- regular physical activity can bring your blood pressure down to safer levels.

Some examples of aerobic exercise to lower blood pressure include

- walking,
- jogging,
- cycling,
- swimming
- or dancing.

You can also try high-intensity interval training, which involves alternating short bursts of intense
activity with subsequent recovery periods of lighter activity.

Strength training also can help reduce blood pressure.

 o Aim to include strength training exercises at least two days a week.

3. Eat a healthy diet

Eating a diet that is rich in

- whole grains,
- fruits,
- vegetables
- and low-fat dairy products
- and low on saturated fat and cholesterol

can lower your blood pressure by up to 11 mm Hg if you have high blood pressure.

This eating plan is known as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet.

It isn't easy to change your eating habits.

Some tips to adopt a healthy diet:

- Keep a food diary.

o Writing down what you eat.
o Monitor what you eat, how much, when and why.

- Consider boosting potassium.

o Potassium can lessen the effects of sodium on blood pressure.
o The best source of potassium is food, such as fruits and vegetables, rather than
supplements.

- Be a smart shopper.

o Read food labels when you shop

o and stick to your healthy-eating plan when you're dining out, too.

4. Reduce sodium in your diet

- Even a small reduction in the sodium in your diet can improve your heart health and reduce
blood pressure by about 5 to 6 mm Hg if you have high blood pressure.

- The effect of sodium intake on blood pressure varies among groups of people.

- In general,
 o limit sodium to 2,300 milligrams (mg) a day or less.
o a lower sodium intake — 1,500 mg a day or less — is ideal for most adults.

To decrease sodium in your diet, consider these tips:

- Read food labels.

o If possible, choose low-sodium alternatives of the foods and beverages you normally
buy.
- Eat fewer processed foods.
o Only a small amount of sodium occurs naturally in foods.
o Most sodium is added during processing.

- Don't add salt.

o Just 1 level teaspoon of salt has 2,300 mg of sodium.
o Use herbs or spices to add flavor to your food.

- If you don't feel you can drastically reduce the sodium in your diet suddenly,
o cut back gradually.

5. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink

Alcohol can be both good and bad for your health.

- By drinking alcohol only in moderation

o generally one drink a day for women, or two a day for men
- you can potentially lower your blood pressure by about 4 mm Hg.
o One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, five ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof
liquor.

But that protective effect is lost if you drink too much alcohol.

- Drinking more than moderate amounts of alcohol

o can actually raise blood pressure by several points.
o It can also reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure medications.

6. Quit smoking
 - Each cigarette you smoke increases your blood pressure for many minutes after you finish.

- Stopping smoking helps your blood pressure return to normal.

o Quitting smoking can reduce your risk of heart disease and improve your overall health.
o People who quit smoking may live longer than people who never quit smoking.

7. Cut back on caffeine

- Caffeine can raise blood pressure up to 10 mm Hg in people who rarely consume it.
- But people who drink coffee regularly
o may experience little
o or no effect on their blood pressure.

- The long-term effects of caffeine on blood pressure aren't clear,

o it's possible blood pressure may slightly increase.

- To see if caffeine raises your blood pressure,

o check your pressure within 30 minutes of drinking a caffeinated beverage.
o If your blood pressure increases by 5 to 10 mm Hg, you may be sensitive to the blood
pressure raising effects of caffeine.

8. Reduce your stress

- Chronic stress may contribute to high blood pressure.

o More research is needed to determine the effects of chronic stress on blood pressure.

- Occasional stress also can contribute to high blood pressure

o if you react to stress by eating unhealthy food, drinking alcohol or smoking.

Take some time to think about what causes you to feel stressed, such as

- work,
- family,
- finances
- or illness.

Once you know what's causing your stress, consider how you can eliminate or reduce stress.
Try to:

- Change your expectations.

o For example, plan your day and focus on your priorities.
o Avoid trying to do too much and learn to say no.
▪ Understand there are some things you can't change or control, but you can
focus on how you react to them.
▪
- Focus on issues you can control and make plans to solve them.
o If you are having an issue at work, try talking to your manager.

- Avoid stress triggers. Try to avoid triggers when you can.

o For example, if rush-hour traffic on the way to work causes stress, try leaving earlier in
the morning, or take public transportation.
o Avoid people who cause you stress if possible.
- Make time to relax and to do activities you enjoy.
o Make time for enjoyable activities or hobbies in your schedule, such as physical activity
outdoor.

9. Monitor your blood pressure at home and see your doctor regularly

- Home monitoring can help you keep tabs on your blood pressure,
o make certain your lifestyle changes are working,
o and alert you and your doctor to potential health complications.

- Regular visits with your doctor are also key to controlling your blood pressure.

10. Get support

- Supportive family and friends can help improve your health.

o They may encourage you to take care of yourself.
What are the effects of high blood pressure on the body?
- Because hypertension is often a silent condition, it can cause damage to your body for years
before symptoms become obvious.
- If hypertension isn’t treated, you may face serious, even fatal, complications.

Complications of hypertension include the following.

Damaged arteries
- Healthy arteries are flexible and strong.
- Blood flows freely and unobstructed through healthy arteries and vessels.

- Hypertension makes arteries

o tougher,
o tighter,
o and less elastic.

- This damage makes it easier for dietary fats to deposit in your arteries and restrict blood flow.
- This damage can lead to
o increased blood pressure,
o blockages,
▪ heart attack
▪ and stroke.

Damaged heart
- Hypertension makes your heart work too hard.
- The increased pressure in your blood vessels forces your heart’s muscles to pump more
frequently and with more force than a healthy heart should have to.

o This may cause an enlarged heart.

- An enlarged heart increases your risk for the following:

o heart failure
o arrhythmias
 o sudden cardiac death
o heart attack

Damaged brain
- Your brain relies on a healthy supply of oxygen-rich blood to work properly.
- Untreated high blood pressure can reduce your brain’s supply of blood:

o Temporary blockages of blood flow to the brain are called transient ischemic attacks
(TIAs).
o Significant blockages of blood flow cause brain cells to die. This is known as a stroke.

o Uncontrolled hypertension may also affect

▪ your memory and ability to learn,

▪ recall,
▪ speak,
▪ and reason.

- Treating hypertension often doesn’t erase or reverse the effects of uncontrolled hypertension.
- But it does lower the risks for future problems.

High blood pressure during pregnancy

- People with hypertension can deliver healthy babies despite having the condition.
- But it can be dangerous to both the birthing parent and baby if it’s not monitored closely and
managed during the pregnancy.

- People with high blood pressure who become pregnant are more likely to develop
complications.

o For example,
▪ pregnant women with hypertension may experience decreased kidney function.
▪ Babies born to birthing parents with hypertension may have a low birth weight
or be born prematurely.
 - Some people may develop hypertension during their pregnancies.
o Several types of high blood pressure problems can develop.
o The condition often reverses itself once the baby is born.
o Developing hypertension during pregnancy may increase your risk for developing
hypertension later in life.

Summary

- High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a very common health issue in the United
States.

- If you’ve recently been diagnosed with high blood pressure, your treatment plan will vary
depending on factors.

o These include the severity of your high blood pressure, and what medication your
doctor thinks will work best for you.

- The good news is that in many cases of hypertension,

o lifestyle changes can be powerful tools for managing, or even reversing, your diagnosis.
o These changes include incorporating
▪ more nutritious fruits and vegetables into your diet,
▪ getting more physical activity,
▪ limiting your sodium intake,
▪ and limiting your alcohol consumption.

- Because hypertension often presents with no symptoms, it’s important to get your blood
pressure checked during your yearly physicals.

- Severe hypertension can cause serious health issues, so the sooner you have it diagnosed, the
sooner it can be managed — and possibly even reversed!
 Physical Fitness and Wellness

Definitions of Health

Health Model

Importance of Health and Physical Activity

What is health?

The word health refers to a state of complete emotional and physical well-being.

Healthcare exists to help people maintain this optimal state of health.

In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined health with a phrase that modern authorities still
apply:

“Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of
disease or infirmity.”

In 1986, the WHO made further clarifications:

“A resource for everyday life, not the objective of living.

Health is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities.”

This means that health is a resource to support an individual’s function in wider society, rather than an
end in itself.

A healthful lifestyle provides the means to lead a full life with meaning and purpose.
In 2009, researchers defined health as „the ability of a body to adapt to new threats and infirmities”.

They base this definition on the idea that the past few decades have seen modern science take
significant strides in:

- the awareness of diseases by understanding how they work,

- discovering new ways to slow or stop them,
- and acknowledging that an absence of pathology may not be possible.

Types
Mental and physical health are probably the two most frequently discussed types of health.

Spiritual, emotional, and financial health also contribute to overall health.

Medical experts have linked these to lower stress levels and improved mental and physical well-being.

People with better financial health, for example, may worry less about finances and have the means to
buy fresh food more regularly.

Those with good spiritual health may feel a sense of calm and purpose that fuels good mental health.

Physical health
A person who has good physical health is likely to have bodily functions and processes working at their
peak.

- This is not only due not only to an absence of disease.

- Regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate rest all contribute to good health.
- People receive medical treatment to maintain the balance, when necessary.

Physical well-being involves pursuing a healthful lifestyle to decrease the risk of disease.

Maintaining physical fitness, for example, can protect and develop:

- the endurance of a person’s breathing and heart function,

- muscular strength, flexibility,
- and body composition.
Looking after physical health and well-being also involves reducing the risk of an injury or health issue,
such as:

- minimizing hazards in the workplace

- using contraception when having sex
- practicing effective hygiene
- avoiding the use of:
o tobacco,
o alcohol,
o or illegal drugs
- taking the recommended vaccines for a specific condition or country when traveling

Good physical health can work in tandem with mental health to improve a person’s overall quality of
life.

For example, mental illness, such as depression, may increase the risk of drug use disorders,
according to a 2008 study This can go on to adversely affect physical health.

Mental health
Mental health refers to a person’s

- emotional,
- social,
- and psychological well-being.

Mental health is as important as physical health as part of a full, active lifestyle.

It is harder to define mental health than physical health because many psychological diagnoses depend
on an individual’s perception of their experience.

With improvements in testing, however, doctors are now able to identify some physical signs of some
types of mental illness in CT scans and genetic tests.

Good mental health is not only categorized by the absence of

- depression,
- anxiety,
- or another disorder.

It also depends on a person’s ability to:

- enjoy life
- bounce back after difficult experiences and adapt to adversity
- balance different elements of life, such as family and finances
- feel safe and secure
 to achieve their full potential.

Physical and mental health have strong connections.

For example:

1. if a chronic illness affects a person’s ability to complete their regular tasks, it may lead to
depression and stress. These feelings could be due to financial problems or mobility issues.

2. A mental illness, such as depression or anorexia, can affect body weight and overall function.

It is important to approach “health” as a whole, rather than as a series of separate factors. All types of
health are linked, and people should aim for overall well-being and balance as the keys to good health.

Factors for good health

Good health depends on a wide range of factors.

Genetic factors
A person is born with a variety of genes.

In some people, an unusual genetic pattern or change can lead to a less-than-optimum level of health.

People may inherit genes from their parents that increase their risk for certain health conditions.

Environmental factors
Environmental factors play a role in health.

Sometimes, the environment alone is enough to impact health.

- Other times, an environmental trigger can cause illness in a person who has an increased
genetic risk of a particular disease.

Access to healthcare plays a role, but the WHO suggest that the following factors may have a more
significant impact on health than this:

- where a person lives

- the surrounding environment
- genetics
- their income
 - their level of education
- employment status

It is possible to categorize these as follows:

- The social and economic environment:

o This may include the financial status of a family or community, as well as the social
culture and quality of relationships.
- The physical environment:
o This includes which germs exist in an area, as well as pollution levels.
- A person’s characteristics and behaviors:
o A person’s genetic makeup and lifestyle choices can affect their overall health.

1. According to some studies, the higher a person’s socioeconomic status (SES), the more likely
they are to enjoy

a. good health,
b. have a good education,
c. get a well-paid job,
d. and afford good healthcare in times of illness or injury.

2. They also maintain that people with low socioeconomic status are more likely to
experiencestress due to daily living,

a. such as financial difficulties,

b. marital disruption,
c. and unemployment.

Social factors may also impact on the risk of poor health for people with lower SES, such as

- marginalization
- and discrimination.

- A low SES often means reduced access to healthcare.

o A 2018 indicated that people in developed countries with universal healthcare services
have longer life expectancies than those in developed countries without universal
healthcare.

Cultural issues can affect health.

 - The traditions
- and customs of a society
- and a family’s response to them

can have a good or bad impact on health.

According to a Study, researchers studied people in select some countries and found that those who ate
a healthful diet had a lower 20-year death rate.

The study indicated that people who ate a healthful diet are more likely to consume high levels of:

- fruits,
- vegetables,
- and olives

than people who regularly consume fast food.

The study also found that people who followed the healthy diet can help:

- protect a person’s heart

- and reduce the risk of several diseases,
o including type 2 diabetes,
o cancer,
o and diseases that cause the brain and nerves to break down.

How a person manages stress will also affect their health.

According to an other study,

- people who smoke tobacco, drink alcohol, or take illicit drugs to manage stressful situations are
more likely to develop health problems
- than those who manage stress through a healthful diet, relaxation techniques, and exercise.

Preserving health
The best way to maintain health is to preserve it through a healthful lifestyle rather than waiting until
sickness or infirmity to address health problems.

Wellness
People use the name wellness to describe this continuous state of enhanced well-being.

The WHO define wellness as follows:

- Wellness is the optimal state of health of individuals and groups.

- There are two focal concerns:
o the realization of the fullest potential of an individual
▪ physically,
▪ psychologically,
▪ socially,
▪ spiritually,
▪ and economically,
o and the fulfillment of one’s roles and expectations in
▪ the family,
▪ community,
▪ place of worship,
▪ and other settings.

Wellness promotes active awareness of and participating in measures that preserve health, both as an
individual and in the community.

Maintaining wellness and optimal health is a lifelong, daily commitment.

Steps that can help people attain wellness include :

- eating a balanced, nutritious diet from as many natural sources as possible
- engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate to high-intensity exercise every week,
- screening for diseases that may present a risk
- learning to manage stress effectively
- engaging in activities that provide purpose
- connecting with and caring for other people
- maintaining a positive outlook on life
- defining a value system and putting it into action

Important notes about wellness

- The definition of peak health is highly individual, as are the steps a person may take to get there.
- Every person has different health goals and a variety of ways to achieve them.
- It may not be possible to avoid disease altogether. However, a person should do as much as
they can to develop resilience and prepare the body and mind to deal with illnesses as they
arise.
 The Importance of Health and Physical Activity

Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health.

- Everyone can experience the health benefits of physical activity

o age,
o abilities,
o ethnicity,
o shape,
o or size

do not matter.

Don’t need to afraid of getting hurt from physical activity.

- the good news is that moderate-intensity aerobic activity,

o such as walking,

is generally safe for most people.

The benefits of the Physical activity is the improving your

- brain health,
- weight management,
- reducing disease,
- strengthening your bones and muscles,
- and improving your ability to do everyday activities.

Immediate Benefits

Some benefits of physical activity on brain health happen right after a session of moderate-to-vigorous
physical activity.

Benefits include

- improved thinking or cognition for children 6 to 13 years of age

- and reduced short-term feelings of anxiety for adults.

Regular physical activity can help

 - keep your thinking,
- learning,
- and judgment skills sharp as you age.
- reduce your risk of depression and anxiety
- and help you sleep better.

Weight Management

- Healthy diet
- and physical activity

play a critical role in maintaining

- a healthy body weight,

- losing excess body weight,
- or maintaining successful weight loss.
 You gain weight:

- when you consume more calories through

o eating
o and drinking
- than the amount of calories you burn,
o including those burned during physical activity.

It’s important to balance calories.

- People vary greatly in how much physical activity they need.

o You may need to be more active than others to reach or maintain a healthy weight.

To maintain your weight:

- Work your way up to 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity

o for example, 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.

Strong scientific evidence shows that physical activity can help you maintain your weight
over time.

The exact amount of physical activity needed to do this is not clear since it varies greatly
from person to person.

o It’s possible that you may need to do more than 150 minutes of moderate-intensity
activity a week to maintain your weight.

To lose weight and keep it off:

Getting to and staying at a healthy weight requires both

- regular physical activity

- and a healthy eating plan.

Reduce Your Health Risk

Cardiovascular Disease

- Heart disease
- and stroke

are two of the leading causes of death in the western world.

Following the recommendations and getting at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity
aerobic activity:
 - can put you at a lower risk for these diseases.
- You can reduce your risk even further with more physical activity.
- Regular physical activity can also lower your blood pressure and improve your cholesterol levels.

Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome

Regular physical activity can reduce your risk of developing

- type 2 diabetes
- and metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is some combination of

- too much fat around the waist,

- high blood pressure,
- low High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol,
- high triglycerides,
- or high blood sugar.

People start to see benefits at levels of physical activity below the recommended 150 minutes a
week.

Additional amounts of physical activity seem to lower risk even more.

If someone already have type 2 diabetes:

- regular physical activity can help you control your blood glucose levels.

Some Cancers

Being physically active lowers your risk for developing several commonly occurring cancers.

Research shows that adults who participate in greater amounts of physical activity have reduced risks of
developing cancers of the:

- Bladder
- Breast
- Colon (proximal and distal)
- Endometrium
- Esophagus (adenocarcinoma)
- Kidney
- Lung
- Stomach (cardia and non-cardia adenocarcinoma)
Strengthen Your Bones and Muscles

With the ageing, it’s important to protect your

- bones,
- joints,
- and muscles

they support your body and help you move.

Keeping bones, joints, and muscles healthy can help ensure that

- you’re able to do your daily activities

- and be physically active.

Doing

- aerobic,
- muscle-strengthening,
- and bone-strengthening physical activity
- at a moderately-intense level

can slow the loss of bone density that comes with age.
Hip fracture is a serious health condition that can have life-changing negative effects,

- especially if you’re an older adult.

- Physically active people have a lower risk of hip fracture than inactive people.

Physical activity for older adults also reduces

- the risk of falling

- and injuries from falls.

more than one type of physical activity are most successful at reducing falls and fall-related injuries.

Different types of physical activity include

- aerobic,
- muscle strengthening,
- and balance physical activities,
- higher impact activities such as
o running, higher intensity walking, jumping jacks and strength training produce a force on
the bones.

These activities that can help promote

o bone growth
o and bone strength
o and reduce the risk of fall-related injuries and fractures.

Regular physical activity helps

- with arthritis
- and other rheumatic conditions affecting the joints.
 - Doing 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity,
- if able, plus muscle-strengthening activity

improves your ability to manage pain and do everyday tasks and improves quality of life.

Muscle-strengthening activities like

- lifting weights can help you increase or maintain

o your muscle mass
o and strength.

This is important for older adults who experience reduced muscle mass and muscle strength
with aging.

o Slowly increasing the amount of weight and number of repetitions you do as part of
muscle strengthening activities will give you even more benefits, no matter your age.

A functional limitation is a loss of the ability to do everyday activities such as climbing stairs, grocery
shopping, or playing with your children and grandchildren.

Increase Your Chances of Living Longer

Science shows that physical activity can reduce your risk of dying early from leading causes of death, like

- heart disease
- and some cancers.

This is remarkable in two ways:

- People who are physically active for about 150 minutes a week have a 33% lower risk of all-
cause mortality than those who are physically inactive.
 Physical Fitness and Wellness

Hypokinetic Diseases

Heart disease
Introduction
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in most of the western countries, according to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

- In the United States, 1 in every 4 deaths in is the result of a heart disease.

- That’s about 610,000 people who die from the condition each year.

Heart disease doesn’t discriminate.

- It’s the leading cause of death for several populations, including

o white people,
o Asians
o Hispanics,
o and Black people.

- Almost half of the population in the World are at risk for heart disease, and the numbers are
rising.

Heart disease can be deadly, it’s also preventable in most people.

- By adopting healthy lifestyle habits early, you can potentially live longer with a healthier heart.

What are the different types of heart disease?

Heart disease includes a wide range of cardiovascular problems.

Several diseases and conditions fall under the umbrella of heart disease.

Types of heart disease include:

- Arrhythmia. An arrhythmia is a heart rhythm abnormality.

- Atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a hardening of the arteries.
 - Cardiomyopathy. This condition causes the heart’s muscles to harden or grow weak.
- Congenital heart defects. Congenital heart defects are heart irregularities that are present at
birth.
- Coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD is caused by the buildup of plaque in the heart’s arteries. It’s
sometimes called ischemic heart disease.
- Heart infections. Heart infections may be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.

The term of cardiovascular disease may be used to refer to heart conditions that specifically affect the
blood vessels.

What are the symptoms of heart disease?

Different types of heart disease may result in a variety of different symptoms.

Arrhythmias

- Arrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms.

- The symptoms you experience may depend on the type of arrhythmia you have
o heartbeats that are too fast or too slow.

- Symptoms of an arrhythmia include:

o Lightheadedness
o fluttering heart or racing heartbeat
o slow pulse
o fainting spells
o dizziness
o chest pain

Atherosclerosis

- Atherosclerosis reduces blood supply to your extremities.

- In addition to chest pain and shortness of breath.

- Symptoms of atherosclerosis include:

o coldness, especially in the limbs

o numbness, especially in the limbs
 o unusual or unexplained pain
o weakness in your legs and arms

Congenital heart defects

- Congenital heart defects are heart problems that develop when a fetus is growing.

- Some heart defects are never diagnosed.

- Others may be found when they cause symptoms, such as:

o blue-tinged skin
o swelling of the extremities
o shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
o fatigue and low energy
o irregular heart rhythm

Coronary artery disease (CAD)

- CAD is plaque buildup in the arteries that move oxygen-rich blood through the heart and lungs.

- Symptoms of CAD include:

o chest pain or discomfort

o a feeling of pressure or squeezing in the chest
o shortness of breath
o nausea
o feelings of indigestion or gas

Cardiomyopathy

- Cardiomyopathy is a disease that causes the muscles of the heart to grow larger and turn rigid,
thick, or weak.

- Symptoms of this condition include:

o Fatigue
o Bloating (fluid, not gas)
o swollen legs, especially ankles and feet
o shortness of breath
o pounding or rapid pulse

Heart infections

- The term heart infection may be used to describe conditions such as

o endocarditis
 o or myocarditis.

- Symptoms of a heart infection include:

o chest pain
o chest congestion or coughing
o fever
o chills
o skin rash

What are the symptoms of heart disease in women?

- Women often experience different signs and symptoms of heart disease than men,
- specifically with regards to CAD and other cardiovascular diseases.

In fact, a 2003 study looked at the symptoms most often seen in women who’d experienced a heart
attack.

- The top symptoms didn’t include “classic” heart attack symptoms such as
o chest pain and tingling.
- Instead, the study reported that women were more likely to say they experienced
o anxiety,
o sleep disturbances,
o and unusual or unexplained fatigue.

- 80 percent of the women in the study reported experiencing these symptoms for at least one
month before their heart attack occurred.

Symptoms of heart disease in women can also be confused with other conditions, such as

- depression,
- menopause,
- and anxiety.

Common heart disease symptoms in women include:

- dizziness
 - paleness
- shortness of breath or shallow breathing
- lightheadedness
- fainting or passing out (temporary loss of consciousness)
- anxiety
- nausea
- vomiting
- jaw pain
- neck pain
- back pain
- indigestion or gaslike pain in the chest and stomach
- cold sweats

What causes heart disease?

- Heart disease is a collection of diseases and conditions that cause cardiovascular problems.
- Each type of heart disease is caused by something entirely unique to that condition.

- Atherosclerosis and CAD result from plaque buildup in the arteries.

- Other causes of heart disease are described below.

Arrhythmia causes

- Causes of an abnormal heart rhythm include:

o Diabetes
o CAD
o heart defects, including congenital heart defects
o medications, supplements, and herbal remedies
o high blood pressure (hypertension)
o excessive alcohol or caffeine use
o substance use disorders
o stress and anxiety
o existing heart damage or disease

Congenital heart defect causes

- This heart disease occurs while a baby is still developing in the womb.

- Some heart defects may be serious and diagnosed and treated early.
 - Some may also go undiagnosed for many years.

- Your heart’s structure can also change as you age.

o This can create a heart defect that may lead to complications and problems.

Cardiomyopathy causes

- Several types of cardiomyopathy exist.

o Each type is the result of a separate condition.

- Dilated cardiomyopathy.
o It’s unclear what causes this most common type of cardiomyopathy, which leads to a
weakened heart.
o It may be the result of previous damage to the heart, such as the kind caused by drugs,
infections, and heart attack.
o It may also be an inherited condition or the result of uncontrolled blood pressure.

- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
o This type of heart disease leads to a thicker heart muscle. It’s usually inherited.

- Restrictive cardiomyopathy.
o It’s often unclear what leads to this type of cardiomyopathy, which results in rigid heart
walls.
 o Possible causes may include scar tissue buildup and a type of abnormal protein buildup
known as amyloidosis.

Heart infection causes

- Bacteria, parasites, and viruses are the most common causes of heart infections.
- Uncontrolled infections in the body can also harm the heart if they’re not properly treated.

What are some risk factors for heart disease?

- There are many risk factors for heart disease.
- Some are controllable, and others aren’t.
- The CDC says that around 47 percent of Americans have at least one risk factor for heart
disease.

- Some of these risk factors include:

o high blood pressure

o high cholesterol and low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the “good” cholesterol
o smoking
o obesity
o physical inactivity

- Smoking, for example, is a controllable risk factor.

o People who smoke double their risk of developing heart disease, according to the
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

- People with diabetes may also be at higher risk for heart disease because high blood glucose
levels increase the risk of:

o Angina
o heart attack
o stroke
o CAD

o If you have diabetes, it’s essential to control your glucose to limit your risk for
developing heart disease.

o The American Heart Association (AHA) reports that people who have both high blood
pressure and diabetes double their risk for cardiovascular disease.
Risk factors you can’t control
- Other risk factors for heart disease include:

o family history
o ethnicity
o sex
o age

- Although these risk factors aren’t controllable, you may be able to monitor their effects.

A family history of CAD is especially concerning if it involved a:

- male relative under 55 years old, such as a father or brother

- female relative under 65 years old, such as a mother or sister

Ethnicity

- Non-Hispanic blacks,
- non-Hispanic whites, and people of Asian or Pacific Island heritage
have a higher risk
- than Native Alaskans or Native Americans.

Gender

- Also, men are at greater risk for heart disease than women.
o In fact, the CDC estimates between 70 and 89 percent of all cardiac events in the United
States occur in men.

Age

- Age can increase your risk for heart disease.

o From ages 20 to 59, men and women are at a similar risk for CAD.

o After age 60, however, the percentage of men affected rises to between 19.9 and 32.2
percent.
o Only 9.7 to 18.8 percent of women that age are affected.

How is heart disease diagnosed?

Several types of tests and evaluations make a heart disease diagnosis.

- Some of these tests can be performed before you ever show signs of heart disease.
- Others may be used to look for possible causes of symptoms when they develop.

Physical exams and blood tests

- The first thing your doctor will do is perform a physical exam and take an account of the
symptoms you’ve been experiencing.
- Then they’ll want to know your family and personal medical history.
o Genetics can play a role in some heart diseases.
o If you have a close family member with heart disease, share this information with your
doctor.

- Blood tests are frequently ordered.

o This is because they can help your doctor see your cholesterol levels and look for signs
of inflammation.

Noninvasive tests
A variety of noninvasive tests may be used to diagnose heart disease.

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG).

- This test can monitor your heart’s electrical activity and help your doctor spot any irregularities.

Echocardiogram.

- This ultrasound test can give your doctor a close picture of your heart’s structure.

Stress test.

- This exam is performed while you complete a strenuous activity, such as

o walking,
o running,
o or riding a stationary bike.
- During the test, your doctor can monitor your heart’s activity in response to changes in physical
exertion.

Carotid ultrasound.

- To get a detailed ultrasound of your carotid arteries, your doctor may order this ultrasound test.

Holter monitor.
 - Your doctor may ask you to wear this heart rate monitor for 24 to 48 hours. It allows them to
get an extended view of your heart’s activity.

Tilt table test.

- If you’ve recently experienced fainting or lightheadedness when standing up or sitting down,

your doctor may order this test.
- During it, you’re strapped to a table and slowly raised or lowered while they monitor your heart
rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels.

CT scan.

- This imaging test gives your doctor a highly-detailed X-ray image of your heart.

Heart MRI.

- Like a CT scan, a heart MRI can provide a very detailed image of your heart and blood vessels.

Invasive tests
- If a physical exam, blood tests, and noninvasive tests aren’t conclusive,
o your doctor may want to look inside your body to determine what’s causing any unusual
symptoms.

Invasive tests may include:

Cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography.

- Doctor may insert a catheter into your heart through the groin and arteries.
- The catheter will help them perform tests involving the heart and blood vessels.
- Once this catheter is in your heart, your doctor can perform a coronary angiography.

- During a coronary angiography, a dye is injected into the delicate arteries and capillaries
surrounding the heart.

o The dye helps produce a highly detailed X-ray image.

Electrophysiology study.

- During this test, your doctor may attach electrodes to your heart through a catheter.
- When the electrodes are in place, your doctor can send electric pulses through and record how
the heart responds.

What treatments are available for heart disease?

 - Treatment for heart disease largely depends on the type of heart disease you have as well as
how far it has advanced.

For example,

- if you have a heart infection,

o your doctor is likely to prescribe an antibiotic.

- If you have plaque buildup, they may take a two-pronged approach:

o prescribe a medication that can help lower your risk for additional plaque buildup
o and look to help you adopt healthy lifestyle changes.

Treatment for heart disease falls into three main categories:

Lifestyle changes
- Healthy lifestyle choices can help you prevent heart disease.
- They can also help you treat the condition and prevent it from getting worse.
- Your diet is one of the first areas you may seek to change.

A low-sodium, low-fat diet

- that’s rich in fruits and vegetables may help you lower your risk for heart disease complications.

Likewise, getting regular exercise and quitting tobacco can help treat heart disease. Also look to
reduce your alcohol consumption.

Medications
- A medication may be necessary to treat certain types of heart disease.

- Doctor can prescribe a medication that can either cure or control your heart disease.

- Medications may also be prescribed to slow or stop the risk for complications.

o The exact drug you’re prescribed depends on the type of heart disease you have.

Surgery or invasive procedures

 - In some cases of heart disease, surgery or a medical procedure is necessary to treat the
condition and prevent worsening symptoms.

- For example,

o if you have arteries that are blocked entirely or almost completely by plaque buildup,
▪ your doctor may insert a stent in your artery to return regular blood flow.
▪ The procedure your doctor will perform depends on the type of heart disease
you have and the extent of damage to your heart.

How can I prevent heart disease?

- Some risk factors for heart disease can’t be controlled, like your family history, for example.
- But it’s still important to lower your chance of developing heart disease by decreasing the risk
factors that you can control.

Aim for healthy blood pressure and cholesterol numbers

- Having healthy blood pressure and cholesterol ranges are some of the first steps you can take
for a healthy heart.

- Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).

- A healthy blood pressure is considered less than 120 systolic and 80 diastolic, which is often
expressed as “120 over 80” or “120/80 mm Hg.”

- Systolic is the measurement of pressure while the heart is contracting.

- Diastolic is the measurement when the heart is resting.

- Higher numbers indicate that the heart is working too hard to pump blood.

- Your ideal cholesterol level will depend on your risk factors and heart health history.

If you’re at a high risk of heart disease, have diabetes, or have already had a heart attack, your target
levels will be below those of people with low or average risk.

Find ways to manage stress

 - Managing stress can also lower your risk for heart disease.
- Don’t underestimate chronic stress as a contributor to heart disease.
o if you’re frequently
▪ overwhelmed,
▪ anxious,
o or are coping with stressful life events, such as
▪ moving,
▪ changing jobs,
▪ or going through a divorce.

Embrace a healthier lifestyle

- Eating healthy foods and exercising regularly are also important.

- Make sure to avoid foods high in saturated fat and salt.
- Recommend 30 to 60 minutes of exercise on most days for a total of 2 hours and 30 minutes
each week.
- Check with your doctor to make sure you can safely meet these guidelines, especially if you
already have a heart condition.

- If you smoke, stop.

o The nicotine in cigarettes causes blood vessels to constrict, making it harder for
oxygenated blood to circulate.
o This can lead to atherosclerosis.

What lifestyle changes does heart disease require?

- Before starting to change your lifestyle, create a detailed list of your everyday habits.

Possible topics include:

o medications you take

o your regular exercise routine
o your typical diet
o any family history of heart disease or stroke
o personal history of high blood pressure or diabetes
o any symptoms you’re experiencing, such as a racing heart, dizziness, or lack of energy
 - Seeing your doctor regularly is just one lifestyle habit you can take up.
- If you do, any potential issues can be caught as early as possible.

Tips for lower the risk of heart disease:

- quitting smoking
- controlling blood pressure
- exercising regularly
- maintaining healthy cholesterol levels
- losing weight if you’re overweight
- eating healthy

What’s the connection between heart disease and hypertension?

- Hypertensive heart disease is a condition caused by chronic high blood pressure.
- Hypertension requires your heart to pump harder in order to circulate your blood through your
body.
o This increased pressure can lead to several types of heart problems, including a thick,
enlarged heart muscle and narrowed arteries.

- The extra force your heart must use to pump blood can make your heart muscles harder and
thicker.
- This can impact how well your heart pumps.
-
- Hypertensive heart disease can make arteries less elastic and more rigid.
o That can slow blood circulation and prevent your body from getting the oxygen-rich
blood it needs.

- Hypertensive heart disease is the top cause of death for people with high blood pressure,
o it’s important you begin to treat high blood pressure as soon as you can.

Is there a cure for heart disease?

- Heart disease can’t be cured or reversed.
- It requires a lifetime of treatment and careful monitoring.
- Many of the symptoms of heart disease can be relieved with medications, procedures, and
lifestyle changes.
- When these methods fail, coronary intervention or bypass surgery might be used.