Heart Disease

Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide? The good news is that it’s also preventable. Felicia Hendricks, RD, is an expert registered dietitian and the founder of Heartistry Nutrition with two locations in Sun City and Sun City West, Arizona. Whether managing high blood pressure or adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, you can take proactive steps to protect your heart. Call or book online today to get started.

What is heart disease?

Heart disease refers to a range of conditions that affect the heart, often leading to serious health complications. It includes:

• Coronary artery disease
• Heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias)
• Congenital heart defects
• Heart infections

The most common type is coronary artery disease, where the blood vessels that supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients become narrowed or blocked due to plaque buildup, restricting blood flow. This can lead to heart attacks, heart failure, or other complications.

What are the signs of having heart disease?

The signs of heart disease can vary depending on the specific type, but common symptoms include:

• Chest pain or discomfort (angina)
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Neck, jaw, or back pain
• Lightheadedness
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet

In some cases, especially with coronary artery disease, heart disease may remain silent until a major event like a heart attack occurs. Women often experience more subtle symptoms, such as nausea, indigestion, or back pain, making heart disease harder to detect.

What causes heart disease?

Heart disease is caused by a combination of factors, including lifestyle, genetics, and underlying medical conditions. The primary cause of coronary artery disease is the buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) in the arteries, known as atherosclerosis. 

Risk factors include:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Poor diet

Other contributing factors include diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption, chronic stress, and a family history of heart disease. Age and gender also play a role, with men and older individuals being at higher risk.

How is heart disease treated with nutrition?

Nutrition plays a key role in treating heart disease which is why Felicia starts with a dietary recall to gain a better understanding of your current diet and nutrition status before making any nutrition recommendations. Felicia will ask about your dietary preferences, your daily eating habits, and common meals and snacks you eat in a day. In addition to making note of any food allergies and food intolerances you may have.

Then she'll teach you about how adding certain foods to your plate can help improve your cholesterol levels. And reducing certain nutrients, such as sodium, can help improve your blood pressure. For example, adding fiber and heart-healthy fats to your plate to can help lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol and increase your HDL (good) cholesterol. 

She also provides delicious recipes and alternatives so you can eat your favorite foods while promoting a heart-healhty diet. 

If you have concerns about heart disease, don’t hesitate to reach out to Heartistry Nutrition today. Call or book online.