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Heart Disease/Stroke

Heart and blood vessel disease (also called heart disease) includes numerous problems, many of which are related to a process called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition that develops when a substance called plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries. This buildup narrows the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through. If a blood clot forms, it can block the blood flow. This can cause a heart attack or stroke.

spa Healthy Living Tips

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    If you smoke, talk to your healthcare provider about resources to help with stopping

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    If you are overweight, losing some weight can help reduce risk for heart disease

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    Don’t skip meals! People who skip meals may reach for unhealthy snacks because they are hungry

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    Fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables

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    Be more active. Aim for at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise a week, spread out over at least 3 days

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    Make sure that you drink plenty of water

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    Take your medication as prescribed

BMI Calculator

Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women.

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assignment_turned_inSymptoms

For more information visit heart.org

  • Sudden Loss Of Responsiveness
    No response to tapping on shoulders.
  • No Normal Breathing
    The victim does not take a normal breath when you tilt the head up and check for at least five seconds.
  • CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY

  • Chest Discomfort
    Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
  • Discomfort in Other Areas of the Upper Body
    Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
  • Shortness of Breath
    With or without chest discomfort.
  • Other Signs
    May include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
  • CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY

If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.

  • Face Drooping
    Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.
  • Arm Weakness
    Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
  • Speech Difficulty
    Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “the sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?
  • CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY

If a person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.

  • Shortness of breath
  • Persistent coughing or wheezing
  • Edema – build-up of excess fluid in tissue
  • Tiredness or fatigue
  • Lack of appetite, nausea
  • Confusion, impaired thinking
  • Increased heart rate

If a person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away be sure to tell your Primary Care Provider as soon as possible. Go to the emergency room or call 9-11 if you believe this is a medical emergency.

local_libraryStories

Had no idea that he had high blood pressure
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I didn’t have any chest pain
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local_hospital Treatment Facilities/Your Health Care Team

Your primary care provider (a general practitioner, internist, nurse practitioner or physician assistant) may take care of your heart disease and will provide education about monitoring your condition at home.

A registered dietitian, an expert in food and nutrition, teaches you how your food affects your heart disease and how to plan meals.

Consider enrolling in a wellness class – they can be fun, informative and you will receive support from healthcare professionals and from individuals who may be experiencing the same challenges that you are in improving your health. Most classes held in hospitals or community health centers are free.

Consider talking to a mental or behavioral health counselor if you need some additional support in exploring some of the factors that might be influencing your ability to make and stick with healthy choices.

These health care professionals may be found at your local Kane County Hospital or Community Health Center. Please visit the following websites to find a provider near you.

      assessment Kane County Chronic Disease Stats

      View Our Stats Page
      4.4%
      Heart Disease (Heart Attack, Angina, Coronary Artery Disease)
      1.8%
      Stroke
      62.7
      Age-Adjusted Death Rate due to Coronary Heart Disease
      Deaths/100,000 Population

      Statistics on this page come from www.kanehealthcounts.org.  The Kane Health Counts website tracks many health and health-related indicators and compares these indicators against state averages and target goals. Understanding how Kane County is comparing and trending within each of these indicators allows for the identification of priority issues and the development of goals to improve the overall health of Kane County residents.

      question_answer FAQs

      helpHow is heart disease diagnosed?
      helpCan it be prevented?
      helpHow is it treated?