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<\/h1>\n<\/h1>\nThe older you get, the more aware you become of your own mortality. We all know we can\u2019t ward off death forever, but we can for sure try to delay it for as long as possible. If you want to push your final day of life as far into the future as possible, two of the top health issues you need to be aware of are heart disease and stroke.<\/span><\/p>\n Heart disease is the number one cause of death<\/a><\/strong> in the United States.<\/strong> Stroke is the third.<\/strong> Not all types of heart disease and stroke are preventable, but most are. If you know what you can do now to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke and how to be on the lookout for telltale symptoms of a problem, you can significantly increase your chances of living longer.<\/span><\/p>\n Heart disease is a pretty broad term applying to a number of types of illnesses and issues that can affect the health of your heart. As you likely know, your heart is one of the most important organs in your body, so any time it\u2019s not working right, there\u2019s cause for worry. <\/span><\/p>\n Many types of heart diseases have similar causes or symptoms, but it\u2019s useful to understand what each one is and some of the differences between them.<\/span><\/p>\n The most common type of heart disease people experience is coronary artery disease (CAD)<\/strong>. CAD causes most heart attacks, so if you\u2019re at risk of it, you want to know it as soon as possible so you can take preventative measures. CAD occurs when your arteries become hard and narrow, so it\u2019s more difficult for blood to get through and reach the heart.<\/span><\/p>\n CAD can be caused or exacerbated by lifestyle choices such as smoking, an unhealthy diet, or a general lack of exercise. Some people with CAD will encounter other symptoms before the disease reaches the point of a heart attack, such as angina, which is the chest pain that occurs when the heart doesn\u2019t get enough blood. Angina is far less serious than a heart attack, but should be treated as a warning sign that you may experience a heart attack if you don\u2019t take the proper measures to improve your heart health.<\/span><\/p>\n Heart failure<\/strong> is when your heart just isn\u2019t able to pump as much blood through your body as you need. The symptoms that often point toward heart failure are:<\/span><\/p>\n All of those symptoms can point to other problems as well, so if you\u2019re worried you may be experiencing heart failure, head to the doctor\u2019s office to see what they say.<\/span><\/p>\n Heart arrhythmia<\/strong> occurs anytime your heart is beating abnormally. Whether it\u2019s beating too fast, too slow, or in an irregular rhythm, it can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as feeling dizzy, out of breath, faint, or having chest pains. Heart arrhythmia does occur more often in seniors, but it isn\u2019t often a huge cause for concern. <\/span><\/p>\n Not everyone\u2019s at equal risk of heart disease. You\u2019re more likely to need to be on the lookout for symptoms if you:<\/span><\/p>\n While heart disease is more common, strokes affect <\/span>approximately 800,000 people<\/a><\/strong> in the U.S. every year. Strokes occur when the brain can\u2019t get the blood it needs. They can often be deadly, but in many cases, recognizing what\u2019s happening quickly enough can save a person\u2019s life and reduce the brain damage strokes can cause.<\/span><\/p>\n There are two main types of stroke you may encounter.<\/span><\/p>\n Ischemic strokes<\/strong> are caused by a blocked artery and make up about <\/span>85% of all strokes<\/a><\/strong>. They\u2019re usually caused by blood clots, which can be caused by lifestyle choices like eating a diet high in fats, sodium, and cholesterol. <\/span><\/p>\n Hemorrhagic strokes<\/strong> are less common, but still serious. They occur when an artery in the brain either bursts or leaks blood. These strokes are often caused by high blood pressure and aneurysms. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The absolute most important thing to know about strokes is how to recognize them when they occur so you can get help fast. If you can quickly get someone suffering from a stroke to a medical professional, you vastly increase their chances of surviving and avoiding brain damage and physical disabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n The main symptoms of a stroke<\/a><\/strong> to look for are:<\/span><\/p>\n The symptoms come on fast and you should call 911 right away if you think someone near you is experiencing a stroke.<\/span><\/p>\n The risk factors for strokes should be familiar by now \u2013 they sound an awful lot like the risk factors for heart disease. You\u2019re more likely to encounter a stroke if you:<\/span><\/p>\n There\u2019s a reason that strokes and heart disease have a serious overlap in risk factors. Your heart is in charge of pumping blood through your body \u2013 including to your brain. Both heart disease and stroke come about when your blood isn\u2019t moving through your body as it should.<\/span><\/p>\n The symptoms and results may differ, but in many cases the causes are essentially the same. <\/span><\/p>\n (Note: there are exceptions, sometimes family history or something like a brain tumor can influence your risk, regardless of lifestyle. In most cases though, the risk factors described play a role.)<\/span><\/p>\n As a senior, your risk for both heart disease and stroke increases. For every 10 years you live after the age 55, <\/span>your risk of stroke doubles<\/a><\/strong>. <\/span>The<\/span> majority of deaths from heart disease<\/a><\/strong> occur with people over the age of 65. <\/span><\/p>\nWhat to Know About Heart Disease<\/h2>\n
Common Types of Heart Disease<\/h2>\n
Coronary Artery Disease<\/h3>\n
Heart Failure<\/h3>\n
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Heart Arrhythmia<\/h3>\n
Who\u2019s At Risk of Heart Disease?<\/h2>\n
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What to Know About Strokes<\/h2>\n
The Types of Stroke<\/h2>\n
Ischemic Stroke<\/h3>\n
Hemorrhagic Stroke<\/h3>\n
How to Recognize A Stroke<\/h2>\n
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Who\u2019s At Risk for a Stroke?<\/h2>\n
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The Relationship Between Heart Disease and Stroke<\/h2>\n
How to Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke<\/h2>\n