RISK FACTORS
BY : HEART OF WOMAN
A single risk factor increases your chances of developing, or worsening, heart-related problems.
And the more of them you have, or the more severe any one risk factor is, the more concerned you should be about the possibility of having a heart attack:
▪ Cigarette smoking
▪ High blood pressure
▪ High cholesterol
▪ Overweight
▪ Lack of physical activity
▪ Diabetes
▪ Hormone Replacement Therapy
▪ Family history of heart disease
▪ High-risk age or race
▪ Poor nutrition
▪ Stress
The Roles of Age and Heredity
Increasing age and heredity (including race) are two major risk factors that women can’t control. As women age, their chance of developing heart disease increases. Approximately four of five people who die of CVD are 65 or older. If your family has a history of heart disease, you’re more likely to develop CVD. Risk is higher for African-American women, whose death rate from CVD is 69 percent higher than the rate for white women. Women who have had a previous heart attack, stroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA) also face a greater risk.
Type 2 Diabetes
Because women with type 2 diabetes have elevated levels of insulin in their bloodstreams, they’re more prone to blood clots. This may explain why 75 percent of type 2 diabetics die of heart attacks or strokes. The risk of death from heart disease is three times greater for women with diabetes. Type 2 diabetes doubles the risk of a second heart attack in women but not in men.
Smoking
On of the most important modifiable risk factors for heart disease is smoking. If you smoke and want to reduce your risk factors for heart disease, quit now. Switching to low tar cigarettes or chewing tobacco does not reduce your risk. All tobacco products contain nicotine, a powerful stimulant that increases heart rate and blood pressure while damaging the arteries. Also, the carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke decreased the amount of vital oxygen available in the blood stream for use by the heart.
Blood Pressure
The higher your blood pressure, the harder your heart must pump to move blood through the vessels. Age, sex and heredity can increase your chance of developing high blood pressure. Modifiable factors that affect blood pressure include smoking, being overweight, dietary habits, and lack of regular physical activity. Some combination of diet, exercise, and medication (if prescribed by your doctor) can control high blood pressure. Above all, you should have your blood pressure checked regularly and follow the advice of your doctor.
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a thick, fatty substance produced by the body and used in cell wall formation and hormone regulation. However, too much cholesterol in the blood stream can contribute to the build up of plaque on artery walls. This narrows the artery opening and restricts blood flow. If you have known cardiovascular disease, optimal lipid management calls for your LDL to be less than 100, total cholesterol less than 200, and HDL greater than 40. Slightly higher lipid levels can be acceptable for individuals without known cardiovascular disease and few or no other cardiac risk factors. You can improve your cholesterol level by following a lower-fat, lower-cholesterol eating pattern, starting a program of regular physical activity and keeping your weight at or near ideal. Your doctor may choose to prescribe medication to help control your cholesterol.
High Blood Sugar
Elevated blood sugar contributes to the narrowing of blood vessels, resulting in decreased circulation. If you have diabetes, you should be under a doctor’s care, monitor your blood sugar regularly, and follow your doctor’s instructions. Symptoms of high blood sugar include: fatigue, weight loss, itching, slow healing of wounds, frequent urination, excessive thirst, and constant hunger.
Chronic Stress
Chronic stress—for example, dealing with a difficult boss—contributes to heart disease by prompting the body to make fight-or-flight hormones, such as adrenaline, that constrict coronary arteries and promote blood clots. The good news is that you can help to control the stress in your life by eating nutritious foods, getting enough sleep, exercising on a regular basis, and learning to solve problems. Many women have found relief by taking stress-management courses, as well.
Overweight
Being overweight is a significant risk factor for heart disease, as well as diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and other chronic disease. The most effective way to lose weight is through a combination of reduced food intake and increased physical activity. Before beginning any weight loss or exercise program you should consult your doctor.
Physical Exercise
A lack of regular physical activity can play a role in the development of high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, high blood sugar, and being overweight. As little as 30 to 40 minutes of moderately intense physical activity, three days per week, can be a major step towards a more heart healthy lifestyle. If you are a male over 40 years of age or a female over 50, you should consult your doctor before starting an exercise program.
See your physician to determine your risk for heart disease.
For more information, call 888-852-5422.