News Article on Cardiovascular disease

CARDIOVASCULAR: PROJECT

Did you know that "Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and claims the lives of approximately 800,000 Americans each year"? What if there was a way to prevent it? Actually in a lot of cases there are ways. More than 200,000 of these deaths from heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure are preventable, according to a first-of-its-kind analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Find out how so you won't be one of the 800,000 that die from this horrible disease.

First of all, you need what the cardiovascular is. Cardiovascular disease, also known as heart disease, is a broad term used to describe a range of diseases that affect your heart. Some of the various diseases that fall under the category of cardiovascular disease include diseases of your blood vessels, such as coronary artery disease, heart rhythm problems or arrhythmias, heart infections, and heart defects you're born with (congenital heart defects). The most common general reason for being subject to heart disease is simply having unhealthy habits. Although we all have our unhealthy secret pleasures, the aftermath from doing those little things can be fatal.

Things like smoking, drinking, drugs, eating unhealthily, and not exercising are some common causes of this disease. People don't realize how many lives could be saved if they just gave these bad habits up! All you have to do is eat healthy, monitor your heart rate, and exercise. If you do these things, you'll realize that nothing tastes as good as healthy feels.

Many people are not as educated on this subject as they should be. Three people were interviewed on this subject and you'd be surprised what they didn't know.

Middle School Student:

Q: How much do you know about the cardiovascular system?

A: "Nothing, really."

Q: What do you typically do for cardiovascular activity each week?

A: "I do soccer, swimming, roller blading, and biking."

Q: Do you know what causes cardiovascular disease?

A: "No, I don't know what that is."

Q: Do you know how to avoid getting Cardiovascular disease?

A: "No."

Q: Do you monitor your heart rate while participating in a physical activity?

A: "Rarely."

Adult:

Q: How much do you know about the cardiovascular system?

A: "A little."

Q: What do you typically do for cardiovascular activity each week?

A: "Cycling class, and I walk or run around my neighborhood."

Q: Do you know what causes cardiovascular disease?

A: "I think it comes from poor diet, lack of exercise, and smoking."

Q: Do you know how to avoid getting Cardiovascular disease?

A: "I guess, eating healthy, and exercising."

Q: Do you monitor your heart rate while participating in a physical activity?

A: "Yes."

Older Adult:

Q: How much do you know about the cardiovascular system?

A: "A lot."

Q: What do you typically do for cardiovascular activity each week?

A: "Nothing, really."

Q: Do you know what causes cardiovascular disease?

A: "High cholesterol, smoking, drinking, drugs, and other unhealthy habits."

Q: Do you know how to avoid getting Cardiovascular disease?

A: "Eating healthy, and getting plenty of exercise."

Q: Do you monitor your heart rate while participating in a physical activity?

A: "No."

I believe it is our job to inform others of this horrible disease that is usually caused by our bad and unnecessary habits! If we don't encourage people to give up these habits and try to stay healthy, then it is very likely that you, or someone you know and love could be one out of the 800,000 Americans that die a year from Cardiovascular disease.