Heart Disease
Heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerosis are examples of heart disease. A heart attack occurs when there is a blockage in the blood vessels of the heart. These blood vessels are blocked by plaque, which comes from foods high in cholesterol and fat. Tobacco can also contribute to a heart attack by making blood vessels smaller and more narrow, making a blockage that much worse. Eating healthy, exercising, and not smoking can all help prevent a heart attack. A stroke is when oxygen cannot reach the brain. Strokes are usually caused by blood clots, which occur as a result of plaque build up (from unhealthy eating), narrow blood vessels from smoking, and/or diabetes. Once again, eating healthy, exercising, and not smoking are all ways to help reduce the risk of stroke. Atherosclerosis is the hardening of arteries, caused by smoking, plaque build up as a result of a high cholesterol diet, and high blood pressure. High blood pressure is caused by a diet high in salt, being overweight, smoking, lack of exercise, and stress.
There are 6 key steps to avoiding heart disease:
1. Lower your blood pressure
1/3 of Americans have hypertension, which greatly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Have your blood pressure checked at least once a year, and more often if you're over 50.
2. Improve your cholesterol levels
People with high LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) levels are often unaware of it. Less than half of the people that should be on medication for their high cholesterol actually are. Talk with your doctor about your risk of heart disease, and get a complete fasting lipid profile every five years starting at 35 (men) or 45 (women). If you're at high risk, get screened sooner and more often.
3. Lose excess weight
The ideal BMI (Body Mass Index) is less than 30, preferably 25. Two thirds of the American population is either overweight or obese. Calculate your BMI or measure your waste, and start eating healthier and exercising as needed.
4. Control your blood sugar levels
People without type 2 diabetes should have a fasting blood glucose level under 110, or preferably 100, and those with type 2 diabetes should have an A1C level under 7%. People 45 and older should have their blood glucose level measured every 3 years, but sooner and more often with additional risk.
5. Quit smoking
24% of adults still smoke, and 20% of teens are likely to start. Smoking increases the risk of blood clots, elevates blood pressure and cholesterol, and makes it harder to exercise, making smokers two to four times more likely to develop heart disease. Talk to your doctor about the best smoking-cessation program for you, and have them examine you for smoke-related illnesses. Stop smoking completely.
6. Consider low-dose aspirin
Talk to your doctor and take low-dose aspirin daily if needed. Women over 55 and men over 45 should talk to a doctor about risk of stroke, heart attack, and gastrointestinal bleeding.
There are 6 key steps to avoiding heart disease:
1. Lower your blood pressure
1/3 of Americans have hypertension, which greatly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Have your blood pressure checked at least once a year, and more often if you're over 50.
2. Improve your cholesterol levels
People with high LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) levels are often unaware of it. Less than half of the people that should be on medication for their high cholesterol actually are. Talk with your doctor about your risk of heart disease, and get a complete fasting lipid profile every five years starting at 35 (men) or 45 (women). If you're at high risk, get screened sooner and more often.
3. Lose excess weight
The ideal BMI (Body Mass Index) is less than 30, preferably 25. Two thirds of the American population is either overweight or obese. Calculate your BMI or measure your waste, and start eating healthier and exercising as needed.
4. Control your blood sugar levels
People without type 2 diabetes should have a fasting blood glucose level under 110, or preferably 100, and those with type 2 diabetes should have an A1C level under 7%. People 45 and older should have their blood glucose level measured every 3 years, but sooner and more often with additional risk.
5. Quit smoking
24% of adults still smoke, and 20% of teens are likely to start. Smoking increases the risk of blood clots, elevates blood pressure and cholesterol, and makes it harder to exercise, making smokers two to four times more likely to develop heart disease. Talk to your doctor about the best smoking-cessation program for you, and have them examine you for smoke-related illnesses. Stop smoking completely.
6. Consider low-dose aspirin
Talk to your doctor and take low-dose aspirin daily if needed. Women over 55 and men over 45 should talk to a doctor about risk of stroke, heart attack, and gastrointestinal bleeding.