Heart disease and stroke claim over 18 million lives globally each year, making them the world’s leading cause of death. World Heart Day takes place on September 29th and serves as a platform to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease. 24 million Americans have COPD, and it can have a direct impact on the cardiovascular system. For those diagnosed, World Heart Day and COPD go hand in hand.
COPD and the Heart
The job of the heart and lungs is to work together to make sure oxygen is distributed throughout the body. COPD is made up of several breathing conditions that make it hard to breathe. A strain on the cardiovascular system is created from the damage these conditions cause, along with low oxygen levels in the blood and lungs. This results in:
- Damaged air sacs can lead to high blood pressure in the blood vessels between the heart and lungs.
- The right side of the heart cannot pump properly, resulting in fluid accumulation because of the strain created by COPD.
- COPD contributes to the risk of atrial fibrillation, or AFib, because of the damage to blood vessels that may cause uneven heartbeats.
World Heart Day
There are several ways one can take steps for heart health this month, including:
- Partaking in physical exercises
- Stopping smoking
- Quitting alcohol
- Starting to eat a healthy diet
- Have your heart, blood pressure, and cholesterol checked frequently
In addition to the steps above, learning to manage your condition better can ease the impacts COPD has on the heart. Following your doctor’s treatment plans, avoiding triggers, and pulmonary rehabilitation are some examples.
Volunteering in COPD clinical research studies is another meaningful way to consider honoring World Health Day. By helping to advance the way this condition is managed, you improve the lives of future generations. In addition, you can learn more about COPD and, in turn, better care for yourself.
North Georgia Clinical Research has COPD studies enrolling now. Call us at (678) 494-5735 to visit our website today!
Sources:
https://world-heart-federation.org/world-heart-day/about-whd/world-heart-day-2021/
https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/world-heart-day-2021/
https://www.vascularhealthclinics.org/the-impact-of-copd-on-heart-disease/
