Heart disease still No. 1 killer

SALEM – High stress levels, poor diet, smoking, and a lack of exercise are all contributors making heart disease the Number One killer in America for both men and women.While some people are inflicted with the disease through family history, others can take measures to prevent or reduce their risk by incorporating a daily exercise routine, and eating a diet rich in fiber and low in saturated fat.Sandra Skinner, R.N., M.A., Director of Heart & Wellness Center at North Shore Medical Center (NSMC) and Executive Director of the North Shore Cardiovascular Associates, said people have to watch out for the three major risk factors associated with heart disease.High blood pressure and high cholesterol also contribute to a person?s risk of suffering a heart attack.Stress tests and EKG?s are commonly used to determine whether a person has a blockage in their heart.?Most men who have heart attacks are under 50 years old, and then women catch up around 50 years old,” Skinner said. “Women used to think that only men have heart attacks, but women are just as susceptible as men.”Skinner said she recommends getting blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked regularly, and also to see if you have diabetes.Cholesterol, a fatty substance necessary for cells to function properly, can restrict circulation if too much of it builds up along the artery walls as plaque.Raising the level of HDL through medication can lower the threat of plaque buildup.?You can?t really change your family history or age, but you can take a daily multivitamin, eat fruits and vegetables and maintain an ideal body weight,” Skinner said.Eating heart healthy salmon, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, including arrhythmias, triglyceride levels and may also slightly lower blood pressure.Red wine can also help improve good cholesterol (HDL), and eating asparagus, which is loaded with fiber, has been linked to lowering blood pressure as well.Regardless of how many prevention tactics are taken, Skinner said if a person is experiencing chest pains or discomfort, its important to act quickly and call 911.?Most people complain of some sort of chest discomfort, but it could be as simple as pressure, or a feeling of squeezing or a fullness,” she said. “Women often don?t have chest pressure like men, they experience more of a shortness of breath, sometimes sweating, shortness of breath or discomfort that may extend to the jaw, neck, both arms and back.”Acting quickly could ultimately save someone?s life, especially if they are transported by ambulance.?Time is muscle,” she said.