This slide shows what can happen as a result of a lifetime of abuse of the heart. Poor diet, smoking, stress, and excessive alcohol use can cause tremendous wear and tear on the heart. In the slide at left, you can see an unhealthy heart. It is round and bloated. This person had congestive heart failure. The heart becomes weak, inefficient and is of little use in pumping blood. Typical symptoms of congestive heart failure include swollen legs and feet and difficulty breathing. This is a result of pooling of blood in the lower extremities and in the lungs. A person literally drowns as a result of this fluid accumulation in the lungs.

On the right of the slide, you can see the effects of "atherosclerosis." Atherosclerosis is a very common type of heart disease that results from the accumulation of fats in the arteries. This fat builds up and narrows the opening of the blood vessel making it more difficult for blood to flow through. Not only is a narrowed artery more difficult to transport blood through, but it is also more prone to obstruction. Fat, clots and other debris can become lodged in a narrowed opening causing a heart attack or, "myocardial infarction."

Photographs above copyrighted by HEALTH EDCO, INC., Waco, Texas 76702-1207. Permission for limited use granted October, 1997.