How to Recognize Risk Factors of Heart Disease

Your heart has the role of pumping 5 quarts of blood through your body every minute. With such an important task to do, you owe it to your heart to keep it as healthy as possible. Heart disease affects more than 70 million Americans. It comes in many different forms such as coronary artery disease, arteriosclerosis , and high blood pressure. Research has revealed certain risk factors that make you more likely to develop heart disease. There are some factors that you can not change. For example, you are at higher risk if you have a family history of heart disease, if you are a woman over 55 years old, or a man over 45 years old. Yet there are also important major risk factors that you can control. The following steps will help you to recognize the risk factors of heart disease.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Monitor your blood pressure. High blood pressure is known as the silent killer because usually it doesn’t have symptoms. It is dangerous because an elevated blood pressure means that your heart has to work harder. As more blood moves through your arteries at a higher pressure, it can do serious damage. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can eventually lead to a heart attack, kidney damage, stroke and blindness.

2. Stop Smoking. Smoking causes havoc in your heart, blood vessels, and arteries. Research has shown that the chemicals contained in cigarettes contributes to plaque that is found in arteries. Avoid second hand smoke, because this will increase your risk of heart disease.

3. Obesity and being overweight. Contributes to the development of other risk factors. High blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and diabetes can all lead to heart disease.

4. Inactivity. Is another risk factor that you can easily change. Your heart needs exercise to be strong and healthy. A short walk or taking the stairs rather than the elevator can help you in maintaining a healthy heart.

5. High cholesterol. Cholesterol is a combination of fats and protein. If the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is high, it can cause plaque to attach to the artery walls. This causes your arteries to harden and thicken, and increases your chances of having a heart attack.

6. Diabetics. Have a higher risk of developing heart disease. It is very important you control your blood glucose levels. Diabetes can lead to atherosclerosis.

7. Alcohol use. Limit your consumption of beer, liquor, and wine. Drinking alcohol in excess can raise your blood pressure.

8. Stress. Studies done show that there is a link between stress and heart disease. Schedule time for yourself during the day to meditate and learn deep breathing exercises.

Tips & Warnings

• Get regular checkups by your physician. Most of the risk factors related to heart disease such as high blood pressure, and diabetes have no symptoms in their early stages. Your physician may be able to detect these health problems. Together, a plan can be developed so that you can control these conditions to prevent damage to your heart.
• The key to having a healthier heart is to change your lifestyle now. Do everything that you can to prevent a heart attack. Some risk factors can not change, but there are many that you can.
• Embrace the knowledge that you have learned here and share it with loved ones and friends.