What is Heart Disease?

The heart is a muscle which requires a constant supply of blood to work properly. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the heart which it can use as energy. Heart disease is a group of conditions affecting the structure and functions of the heart.

What causes Heart Disease?

Heart disease can be caused by a number of different factors. For example, coronary artery disease occurs when fatty materials, calcium and scar tissue (which can develop from toxin damage) build up in the arteries that supply blood to your heart. The buildup makes the arteries more narrow which can prevent the heart from receiving enough blood.

What are the signs and symptoms of Heart Disease?

Depending on where the disease manifests within the cardiovascular system, the symptoms can be wide ranging. Some people never even realize they are having any symptoms. This is why it is imperative that anyone (especially those with a family history of heart disease) be heart healthy.

The most dangerous symptoms to look out for are heart attack warning symptoms. According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada heart attack warning signals include:

• Sudden discomfort or pain that does not go away with rest
• Pain that may be in the chest, neck, jaw, shoulder, arms or back
• Pain that may feel like burning, squeezing, heaviness, tightness or pressure
• In women, pain may be more vague
• Chest pain or discomfort that is brought on with exertion and goes away with rest
• Difficulty breathing
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sweating
• Anxiety

If you experience any of these signals, you should:
CALL 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately, or have someone call for you.
Rest comfortably and wait for an ambulance with emergency medical personnel to arrive.
(http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.3483917/k.171E/Heart_disease__Heart_Attack_Warning_Signals.htm 10/22/09)

How common is Heart Disease?

5.6% of all Canadians over the age of 20 live with some form of heart disease. The number increases with age and by 80 it is 28%.
(http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.3483991/k.34A8/Statistics.htm 10/22/09)

What health problems are caused by Heart Disease?

Heart disease can lead to a stroke or a heart attack which could cause death.

What can be done to help with Heart Disease?

If you have a family history of heart disease, or currently suffer from any type of heart disease it is important that your registered health care practitioner monitor your condition. Having a heart healthy lifestyle is important too, this includes:

• Being active
• Being smoke free
• Reducing stress
• Eating well
• Supplementing with DHA and EPA from fish oils has been shown to promote a healthy heart. Norwegian Gold Super Critical Omega includes these heart healthy oils in the strongest fish oil supplements available with or without a prescription.