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Heart Disease Risks

There are two types of heart disease risk factors—those that can't be changed and those that you may be able to do something about. Risk factors that cannot be changed include:

Age (the older you get, the higher your risk)
Gender (Men are at higher risk than women until age 50. At age 50 and older, women are at the same risk.)
Race
Family history

But the three major risk factors that you can do something about are:

High blood pressure
High cholesterol
High blood sugar

High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of your arteries. During a normal day, it will rise and fall several times. High blood pressure or hypertension occurs when the force against the walls of your arteries doesn't rise and fall, but stays higher over time. People with blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or higher have high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is dangerous to your health because it forces your heart to work harder. Over time, high blood pressure can lead to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure can also result in heart failure, kidney disease, and blindness.

Almost one in three American adults has high blood pressure. Of these adults, nearly one-third are not aware of their illness. Be sure to ask your doctor about your blood pressure level. By managing your blood pressure, you can prevent complications.

High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy substance. When cholesterol and other debris build up in your artery wall, your artery can harden and narrow. If not enough blood reaches the heart, you may experience a chest pain called angina. Lack of proper blood flow can cause an area of the heart to die—also known as a heart attack.

Almost one in four Americans has high cholesterol. High cholesterol is partly determined by family history and partly by diet and exercise. The next time you visit your doctor, be sure to ask for your cholesterol level.

High Blood Sugar

High blood sugar, or diabetes, occurs when your body doesn't release or use insulin well. Insulin is a hormone that is produced in the pancreas. Insulin is responsible for keeping your blood sugar at a certain level.

One in 13 Americans will develop diabetes in adulthood (usually called Type II diabetes). Type II diabetes is not an overnight problem. It often begins with years of obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Three quarters of those with Type II diabetes die of heart or blood vessel disease. So it is important to start managing your health early. Though blood sugar is usually tested during a routine physical, you should talk to your doctor if you have any questions.

Prevention

You can take action to lower these three heart disease risks.

Stop Smoking—Compared with nonsmokers, people who smoke double their risk of heart attacks. Cigarette smoking raises your blood pressure and reduces your ability to exercise, which can magnify other risk factors like high cholesterol and high blood sugar. It is important to your health to quit smoking.
Exercise—Researchers have found that even moderate-intensity exercise (such as walking, swimming, or biking) may help control blood cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity. It also helps lower blood pressure in some people. Talk to your doctor about starting a new exercise routine.
Eat Healthy—The American Heart Association recommends watching what kind of fat you eat. You should replace saturated and trans fats (butter and margarine) with unsaturated fats (olive oil and canola oil). Also, fish, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are very healthy for you.
Relieve Stress—Taking a moment to unwind is important. People under stress can overeat, smoke, and drink to compensate, which can increase blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.

Prevention is the best medicine. So plan a trip to your doctor to get the necessary tests for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar. And work with your doctor to plan how you can change your diet and lifestyle to avoid heart disease.

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