February is National Heart Disease month

Post date: Feb 28, 2017 9:00:38 PM

Jonathan Bartle

Tech & Health Editor

February is National Heart Disease month. Every year around 600,000 people die from the disease. Heart disease affects all genders and usually attacks at around the age of 65-70 for both males and females. However, there are many cases documented as young as 45 in males, but this is a very rare occurrence.

According to WebMD, Heart Disease affects many people and can be caused by bad cholesterol, excessive alcoholic consumption, and smoking; however, Coronary Artery Disease is a much different matter which is entirely genetics at work.

Madhav Amolsch, a healthy Chicago resident and former pilot, developed Coronary Heart Disease, a genetic disease that affects the ‘Widow Maker’ part of the heart more commonly known as the Left Coronary Artery, at the age of 44, “Coronary Heart Disease is a genetic disease.” He explained, “Treatment for me was triple bypass surgery.” He explained with “It didn’t help, but this was mostly genetics at play.” After the diagnosis he was forced to resign from his job as a pilot by the FAA.

A spud here at MHS was diagnosed with a Coronary Heart Disease early this year. ¨I ran with the boys cross country, but when the season started and I got my physical something was wrong.¨ said the anonymous student. ¨They said it was a problem with my left ventricle in the heart, and we knew others in my family had the disease (Coronary Artery Disease)” The student was allowed to run but was told he would require heart testing when he turned 35.

Heart Disease affects many people in a wide variety of ages most people start Heart Disease testing when they reach their 50s but if it is known Heart Disease is in the family, it is recommended testing starts as young as 35. While high schoolers shouldn't have to worry about it, it is still important too watch for it.