Let’s continue with Heart disease:
Causes of Heart Valve Disease
Many things can cause diseases of the heart valves. Some people are born with heart valve disease (congenital heart valve disease) May also be caused by conditions such as:
- Rheumatic Fever
- Infections (infectious endocarditis)
- Connective tissue disorders
Risk factors
Risk factors for heart disease include:
- Age. Growing older increases the risk of damaged and narrowed arteries and a weakened or thickened heart muscle.
- Sex. Men are generally at greater risk of heart disease, the risk for women increase after menopause.
- Family History. Especially if a parent developed it at an early, ( before age of 55 for male relative such as brother or father, and 65 for a female relative, such as your mother or sister)
- Smoking. Sustances in tobacco smoke damage the arteries. Hart attacks are more common in smokers than in nonsmokers.
- High cholesterol. Having high cholesterol increases the risk of artheroesclerosis, and artheroesclerosis has been linked to heart attacks and strokes.
- Diabetes. Diabetes Increases the risk of heart disease. Obesity and High blood pressure increase the risk of diabetes and heart diseases.
- Obesity. Excess weight typically worsens other heart disease factors. Heart attack been the most common.
- Stress. Unrelieved stress may damage the arteries and worse worsen other risk factors for heart disease.
- Lack of exercises. Being inactive (sedentary lifestyle) is associated with many forms of heart disease and some of its risk factors, too
- High Blood Pressure. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause the arteries to become hard and thick. ( in the next few week we going to talk about HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE and the next factors.)
- Unhealthy diet.
- Poor Dental Health. It’s important to brush and floss your teeth and gums often. Also get regular dental checkups. Unhealthy teeth and gums makes it easier for germs to enter the bloodstream and travel to the heart. This can cause Endocarditis.
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:13