Contents:
- Medical Video: Heart Disease Prevention: What You Need to Know
- What are the risk factors for heart disease?
- How to prevent heart disease
- What can I do after being diagnosed with heart disease?
- Is there a cure for heart disease?
Medical Video: Heart Disease Prevention: What You Need to Know
Heart disease (or cardiovascular disease) is a general term that covers a large number of cardiovascular problems, including:
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
- Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis)
- Heart infection
- Congenital heart abnormalities
Heart attacks, strokes, and other complications can occur when blood vessels are blocked or narrowed. Even though heart disease can be deadly, most people can prevent it. By adopting an early healthy lifestyle, you have the potential to be able to live longer with a healthier heart.
What are the risk factors for heart disease?
There are many risk factors for heart disease, some can be prevented and others cannot be prevented, some of which include:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- High cholesterol (and low HDL levels)
- Smoke
- Obesity
- Not actively exercising
Smoking, for example, is a risk factor that can be prevented. Smokers double the risk of heart disease, according to the National Diabetes Information Center.
People with diabetes may also be at higher risk of heart disease because high blood sugar levels increase the risk:
- Chest pain (angina)
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Coronary artery disease
If you have diabetes, it is important to control glucose to limit the risk of developing heart disease. The American Heart Association reports that heart disease is the most common cause of disability in people with type 2 diabetes.
Family history, ethnicity, gender, and age are other risk factors. This risk factor cannot be prevented. Family history, according to the Mayo Clinic, means family members who have heart disease:
- Under the age of 55 for men (especially fathers or brothers)
- Under the age of 65 for women (mothers and sisters)
Ethnicity is an important factor. Asian and African descendants are more at risk than other groups. In addition, men have a greater risk than women.
Age can increase the risk of stroke. According to the World Heart Federation, after age 55, the risk of stroke is doubled every decade.
How to prevent heart disease
As mentioned earlier, several risk factors for heart disease cannot be prevented — family history, for example. However, it is still important to reduce the chances of developing heart disease by reducing the risk factors that you can control.
Having healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels are the first few steps you should take for a healthy heart. Healthy blood pressure is considered to be less than 120 systolic and 80 diastolic (often written as "120/80 mm Hg"). Systolic is a measurement of pressure when the heart contracts. Diastolic is a measurement when the heart is resting. Higher numbers indicate that the heart is working too hard to pump blood.
The purpose of cholesterol reading will depend on risk factors and a history of heart health. If you have a high risk of heart disease, have diabetes, or have had a heart attack, the target level will be below that recommended for people with low or average risk.
Although it sounds simple, coping with stress can also reduce risk. Don't underestimate chronic stress as a cause of heart disease. Talk to your doctor if you constantly feel overwhelmed, anxious, or face a stressful event, such as moving a house, changing jobs, or divorcing.
Eating healthy foods and exercising regularly is also important. Be sure to avoid foods high in saturated fat and salt. The Mayo Clinic recommends 30-60 minutes of exercise almost every day. Check with your doctor to make sure you can meet these guidelines safely - especially if you already have a heart condition.
Stop smoking. Nicotine in cigarettes causes blood vessels to narrow, making it more difficult to circulate full blood oxygen, which results in atherosclerosis.
What can I do after being diagnosed with heart disease?
If you have recently been diagnosed with heart disease, talk to your doctor about steps you can take to stay healthy as much as possible. You can prepare a visit schedule by making a detailed list of daily habits. Possible topics include:
- The medicines you drink
- Sports routine
- Typical diet
- History of heart disease or stroke in the family
- Personal history of high blood pressure or diabetes
- Any symptoms you experience (such as a heart beating fast, dizzy, or not powered)
Meeting a doctor regularly is just one habit that you can do. In this way, problems that have the potential to emerge can be detected immediately. Certain risk factors, such as high blood pressure, may be treated with drugs that reduce the risk of heart disease.
The doctor may also give tips for:
- Quit smoking
- Control blood pressure
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain healthy cholesterol levels
- Lose weight
- Eat healthy food
Making all these changes at once is impossible. Discuss with health care providers about which lifestyle changes will have the greatest impact. Even the smallest step to this goal will help you stay healthy.
Is there a cure for heart disease?
Heart disease cannot be cured. Heart disease requires life-long care and supervision. Many symptoms of heart disease can be reduced by medication, procedures, and lifestyle changes. If this method fails, coronary intervention or bypass surgery may be utilized. However, there is no way to restore arterial damage. It is important to maintain health from today.
