Heart Disease - Risk Factors Of Heart Disease

You have to keep in mind that whatever actions you have do today can either help to prevent, delay or minimize the effect of heart disease or may even worsen it. The key therefore is to control risk factors. You cannot control each and every risk factor for heart disease like: family history, but you can definitely do something to change your behavior. Age and gender are also the factors that influence your risk of heart disease.

Some Major Risk Factors of Heart Disease

Cholesterol

It is a type of a lipid, a very soft, fat-like substance that serves as a source of fuel. Excessive cholesterol buildups atherosclerotic plaque.Accumulation of plaque in arteries blocks blood flow and ultimately lead to a heart attack. LDL cholesterol, so-called “bad” cholesterol, is transported throughout the body, where it is used to repair cell membranes or to make hormones. LDL cholesterol accumulates in the your arteries wall. HDL cholesterol, which is known as “good” cholesterol, transports cholesterol to the liver, where it is altered and removed from the body.

Blood Pressure

Normal blood pressure level is stated as less than 130 mm of mercury (mm Hg) for systolic blood pressure and less than 85 mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure. Higher the blood pressure, the more likely it is to take a toll on the heart and on the brain. Blood pressure should be checked whether or not your levels are high. For normal, you should check it once in every two years. For high-normal, check once a year. If extremely high, you should get immediate care and consult a specialist. Then get multiple measurements to know if a high level is sustained over time.

Diabetes

Another risk factor for heart disease is diabetes, a chronic disease of insulin deficiency or resistance. Type II diabetes, which is the most common type, is associated with obesity and may be prevented by maintaining ideal body weight through exercise and balanced nutrition.

Tips Controlling Risk of Heart Disease

Stop Smoking

The effect of smoking on your lungs cause almost every other medical condition, it is leading death factor in the world today.

Get Active

Daily physical activity is highly recommended and helpful in controlling obesity. Try to perform 30 min of moderate physical activity daily. Walking fast is one of the best way to prevent from heart diseases. If you can lose even a small amount of weight, five pounds for example, it may have a positive effect on lipid levels and blood pressure preventing heart disease.

Limit Alcohol Consumption

You have to limit alcohol intake to three ounces or fewer to prevent heart disease. People who drink large amounts of alcohol (six to eight ounces a day) tend to have higher blood pressure.

Watch What You Eat

Eat fruits and vegetables instead of fast foods and burgers to prevent heart disease.Maintain adequate dietary of potassium, calcium and magnesium intake.Reduce saturated fats and cholesterol to stay away from heart disease.