What Is the Prognosis for Cardiovascular Disease Patients?

You certainly never want to hear that you have cardiovascular disease. This condition can have serious effects, including heart attack, stroke and even death. A diagnosis may scare you, but there are steps you can take to reduce these critical risks. You can still live a fulfilling life and accomplish your goals of health and wellness.

At-risk people

Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer in the United States. Family history and age can play a role in developing the condition. Many victims, however, find they have the disease due to poor lifestyle choices. Smoking and heavy alcohol consumption can damage the heart and arteries. Plaque can build up in the artery walls due to a diet high in salt, fat and sugar. Also, a lack of exercise can lead to high blood pressure, which contributes to heart disease.

Lack of attention

People may not know for sure whether they have cardiovascular disease, but there are signs that point to it. Frequent headaches, dizziness and lightheadedness can be clues that the individual has heart problems. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, leg numbness and jaw pain. Ignoring these issues significantly raises the person’s chances of the disease getting worse. Death within five years is more likely without habit changes or doctor intervention.

Older patients

The older a person is, the higher the probability that the individual will get cardiovascular disease. People over the age of 75 are much more likely to suffer the effects of this condition than younger people. Heart disease hospitalizes older people more than any other medical issue. Treatment is possible during this stage of life, but survival rates decline as the patient ages.

Sedentary people and cardiovascular disease

Inactivity and heart disease are not a good combination. People who do not exercise are not only at risk for developing this condition, but it is difficult for such patients to reverse the effects of the disease. Regular aerobic exercise is vital for strengthening the heart and cleaning out the blood vessels.

Smoking and a poor diet

Cardiovascular disease patients who smoke should stop immediately. Smoking will raise a person’s blood pressure, which can cause heart attacks or stroke. People who smoke cigarettes have a much lower chance of living for several years with heart disease than those who avoid the habit. Similarly, patients who do not watch their diets should not expect to live more than a few years.

Get help quickly

With a proper diet, consistent exercising and help from a doctor, people can live for several years after the diagnosis. However, ignoring signs and symptoms can cut life expectancy down to less than a year.

Know what you are up against

If you have learned that you have cardiovascular disease, you should take the news seriously. This disease can be a killer, but if you commit to living a healthy life, you can defy the odds. Follow your doctor’s counsel and do your part to improve your lifestyle and wellness.

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