"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.
