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Step 1
Find out your family history. Heredity is a risk factor you cannot change, but awareness and communication of your family history can help you and your doctor recognize signs and symptoms of heart disease.
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Step 2
Quit smoking! If you are a smoker, your risk for developing heart disease is at least two times that of a non-smoker. Non-smokers are also at an increased risk when inhaling second-hand smoke, so avoid it when possible.
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Step 3
Cholesterol level can be a risk factor. You should have this checked regularly by your doctor and know what your levels are.
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Step 4
Blood pressure signifies how hard your heart is working. If you have consistent high blood pressure, your doctor may prescribe medication to lower and maintain an appropriate level.
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Step 5
Weight is another factor you can take an active step in controlling. If you are overweight or obese, you may have other health risks listed above. When obesity is joined with factors such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure, the risks increase dramatically. Take steps to lose weight. Even a 10 pound loss can lessen your risk for heart disease.
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Step 6
Exercise! Physical inactivity is another risk factor. Getting active, even if it is just a routine brisk walk will reduce your risk. An inactive lifestyle is also a contributing factor for being overweight and other health conditions.
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Step 7
Make better dietary choices to lower your risk factor for developing heart disease. Choose a diet that is low in saturated fat. Choose a diet that contains whole grains, unprocessed fruits and vegetables which have a high fiber content.
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Step 8
Take part in activities that reduce or manage stress levels.
Comments
Fike said
on 7/3/2008 Step 1 is EXTREMELY important. I was a life-long runner - even marathons in good enough time for Boston. Guess what? I didn't know that vericose veins of the BRAIN ran in my family. So all that running, with my healthy heart, was going to a sick brain. The result? I wore out the atrial (top) valves of my heart by age 43. And now? I have atrial fibrillation and cannot run. I can't even lift boxes. SO: STEP 1 IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!!!! DO SEE A PHYSICIAN WHILE YOU ARE VERY YOUNG!!!! -Larry Fike
jamaclassics said
on 7/1/2008 I get so tired of hearing people say that cholesterol is a factor in heart disease, it simply ISN'T !!!
Silverwulf said
on 6/28/2008 I missed the website to obtain the diet program to lose weight. Could you please resend it. I am anxious to try it.
Thanks
Silverwulf
gboise said
on 6/27/2008 THe point here should be that whatever it takes to accomplish the above goals is what you need to do and encourage others to do, whenter it is medication, expense, change of lifestyle, etc. BP, weight, cholesterol and stress can ALL be lowered by medication and as much as needed should be used. This is proven to deacrease cardiac mortality. Don't try to be your own doctor, go to one, then follow thier advice to the letter. Exercising 30 minutes three times a week to target heart rate is no nonger an option after 30, it is a requirement. It is a new part time job. The truth for us is what we understand based on our experience. If we have healthful habits, the truth is we will live longer and better, much longer and better. Bless you all.
jsanchez619 said
on 6/24/2008 I'm glad I joined this website. I constantly get helpful info. Heart illness runs in my dad's side of the fam. However they were very poor at following exercise and healthy diets. I'm going to have my dad try a mangosteen juice as a dietary supplement. Thanks for the info. :)