Unfortunately for many people, they are unaware of their individual risk
factors or simply choose to ignore them. Fortunately,
there are many ways of finding out what your risk
factors are. There are some risks you can control and
other risks you have no control over. What is important
is that you know for a fact what your specific risks
are.
Risk Factors
We've provided a list of risk factors and warning signs
for your own information. If you're unsure about your
heart's health, please see your doctor for more
information on what you can do to offset this risk.
Smoking
Quite possibly one of the worst things you can do to
your body. Many scientists believe smoking promotes
heart disease in many different ways:
-
Smoking accelerates the development of arteriosclerosis, possibly by
damaging artery walls and aiding cholesterol to develop.
-
Smoking significantly
reduces the HDL ("good") cholesterol levels in your body.
-
Smoking may also help blood clots in forming. Once a blood clot begins
forming in your arteries, your risk of a heart attack or stroke increases.
High Cholesterol
High blood cholesterol Cholesterol, a soft, fat-like
substance, can be found in the blood and every cell in
the body. High levels of cholesterol increase your risk
of a heart attack or stroke. You can usually lower your
cholesterol levels by making adjustments in your diet.
Others may also need to take medication.
High blood pressure
Also called hypertension; high blood pressure makes the
heart work harder than normal, thereby putting you at
risk for both heart attack and stroke. Close to 90-95%
of high blood pressure cases are unknown, however,
several factors are also known to raise your blood
pressure.
-
Age: The older you get, the higher your blood pressure.
-
Family History (and race): If your parents have high blood pressure, you
are at risk for developing high blood pressure.
-
African Americans too, seem more likely to develop high blood pressure than
whites do.
-
Obesity: If you lead an inactive lifestyle and overeat, these two factors
combined can contribute toward coronary heart disease.
-
Drinking too much: Overdoing it when drinking has also been shown to
increase your risk of having high blood pressure.
-
Diets high in salt: Some people are more "sodium sensitive" than others.
Most Americans consume more salt than their bodies really need.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not make or
react correctly to the hormone insulin. The body needs
insulin for converting sugar, starches and other foods
into energy. Diabetes also affects cholesterol and
triglycerides levels, which contribute toward heart or
blood vessel disease. If you have diabetes, it's
absolutely crucial to receive medical check-ups to help
keep the disease in balance. Personal medical (family)
history. The more you know about your own medical
history and your families, the better prepared you'll be
to offset the risk of heart disease. It is imperative to
receive medical check-up on a regular basis to
understand your risk level.
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