What are your risks for heart disease?

What's Your Risk for Heart Disease?

The most important thing you can do for heart disease prevention is to KNOW YOUR RISK! 

There are different risk factors for heart disease which include modifiable risk factors (things that you can change) and non-modifiable risk factors (things that you cannot change). 

It is imperative to know these risk factors, because if you identify yourself as a “high risk person” – then prevention might save your life!

Modifiable Risk Factors:

1. Cholesterol

Make sure you have your cholesterol checked at least once a year by a physician so that you can make changes to your diet and lifestyle or start medications if necessary.

2. High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure (“hypertension”) is the number one risk factor for stroke as well! Have your blood pressure checked routinely. If elevated your MD will decide on what the right treatment is for you , with or without initiation of medications.

3. Tobacco Use

Smoking increases your risk for heart disease. Attempt to cut down on tobacco use. Here's How!

4. Diabetes (Both Type 1 and Type 2)

 Diabetes doubles your risk for development of heart disease!   Have your Hemoglobin A1C checked by your physician to see if you are at risk for Diabetes. Luckily working closely with your MD, you can gain control over this disease and minimize your risks.

5. Obesity

Being overweight predisposes you not only to heart disease, but also to diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure,high cholesterol, and many other diseases! Carrying excess body weight, leads to your heart working even harder to oxygenate all that extra fat tissue.  If you are obese, try to manage your weight through portion control and exercise. Speak to your physician and/or nutritionist about the best weight loss options for you.

6. Lack of Excercise

As I taught you before – your heart is the most important MUSCLE in your body. Just as you work out the rest of the body’s muscles – the heart is equally important. This is why doctors recommend a “Cardio” workout (this refers to working out the heart). There is no strict guideline as to how much exercise you should put in weekly – my advice is to exercise enough to bring up the heart rate for at least 30 minutes, 3-4 times a week.

Non-modifiable Risk Factors:

1. Age greater than 55

2.Family history of heart disease

Especially in relatives who suffered from heart disease or stroke before age 55

3. Ethnicity

African Americans are at highest risk for development of heart disease. Heart disease risk is also higher among Mexican Americans, American Indians, native Hawaiians and South Asians. This is partly due to higher rates of obesity and diabetes among these groups.

4. Gender

So many disparities exist in heart disease between men and women. Currently men are said to have a higher risk of heart disease than women, but this is likely not the case! The reason being is that men are more likely to be diagnosed with heart disease since they present with typical symptoms (namely chest pain), while women go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to atypical symptoms. Because men are usually diagnosed earlier in the course of heart disease, they receive medications and treatment earlier than women.

This means that men are able to begin earlier prevention techniques and engage in more aggressive treatment and diagnostic options that can save their lives!

If you are a woman, it is even more important to be aware of the symptoms of heart disease, to make sure the diagnosis is not missed!

Being knowledgeable about heart disease can save your life and the lives of your loved ones. I hope you found this information helpful. As always, email questions/comments to DoctorDeenaMD@gmail.com.

**PLEASE REMEMBER IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND/OR BEFORE STARTING OR STOPPING ANY TREATMENT OR ACTING UPON INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE SITE, YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR OWN PHYSICIAN OR HEALTH-CARE PROVIDER**