Heart Disease

"Heart disease" is a term used to describe a few different heart conditions. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been increasing among Natives. CVD has been a leading cause of death among Natives over the last 50 years.

Symptoms

Heart disease causes about 659,000 deaths in the United States each year - that is equal to about 1 in every 4 deaths. Heart disease can be "silent" and undiagnosed until a person experiences serious signs and symptoms of a heart attack, heart failure, or arrhythmia. Symptoms of these serious conditions may include:

Heart attack: chest pain or discomfort, upper back or neck pain, indigestion, heartburn, nausea or vomiting, extreme fatigue, upper body discomfort, dizziness, and shortness of breath
Arrhythmia: fluttering feelings in the chest (palpitations)
Heart failure: shortness of breath, fatigue, or swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, abdomen, or neck veins

Risk Factors for Heart Disease

High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Smoking or drinking alcohol
Overweight or obesity
Unhealthy diet

Sources CDC | Heart Disease & Cardiovascular Disease in American Indians and Alaskan Natives | Professional Heart Daily

We help our relatives with heart disease.

Great Plains Good Health and Wellness

GPTLHB’s Great Plains Good Health and Wellness (GPGHW) program use evidence-informed, culturally rooted health promotion and disease prevention initiatives to help Great Plains area tribes combat obesity, commercial tobacco use, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.