Several Risk Factors for Heart Disease

March 28, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Extensive statistical and clinical studies identified factors contributing to heart attacks and coronary disease of the heart. Your chances of developing a coronary heart disease is much greater, the more factors of risk that you have. Some risk factors that we have no control over and can not change are:

Male gender

The death rate is greater for men and their coronary attacks happen earlier in their lives than women. A women’s rate of death increases after onset of menopause but not as much as a man.

Getting older

83 percent of the people that die from coronary heart disease are age 65 and older. More than men, women who have heart failure at an older age, are more likely to die a few weeks afterward.

Race and heredity

A child whose parents had heart disease is more apt to developing it themselves. African Americans are more at risk for heart disease and have blood pressure severely higher than Caucasians.

There are several risks you can control by medicine or a change in lifestyle:

Smoking tobacco

Pipe or cigar smokers have a higher risk for stroke and heart complications, but not as much as cigarette smokers.

Having high blood pressure

When someone has high blood pressure, it increases the workload of their heart, causing it to become stiff and thicker.

Having high cholesterol

As a person’s cholesterol rises, so do their risks. If other factors are present such as smoking the risks are greater.

Being inactive

A sedentary lifestyle will contribute to risk factors for heart diseases. You can gain great benefits with regular physical activity.

Having diabetes

Diabetes can seriously affect risk factors for a cardiovascular disease. Even if sugar levels are well controlled, the risk is great for stroke and heart problems.

Being overweight and obese

Excessive body fat increases the chance of stroke and heart complications.

Filed Under: Heart Care, Heart Surgeons Tagged With: , ,

Dietary Risk Factors for a Heart Attack

February 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Even those who eat incredibly well might have risk factors that can cause a heart attack. How much we eat regardless of what it is can impact our weight and heart health. Eating is a pleasurable activity but it doesn’t mean we should eat to oblivion (even fruit). For example, bananas are an excellent source of potassium, but they also contain a lot of sugar as they ripen. In addition, they contain anywhere from 70 to 130 calories each. A simple rule to keep in mind is whatever you consume, be prepared to burn off with a fair amount of movement.

What we drink can also impact our ticker’s function. Consider this before you visit your local coffee shop for a latte. One or two cups of coffee without any milk, sugar or cream isn’t so bad (4 ounces). Caffeine itself isn’t a problem in moderation but it can harden the blood vessels and over time increase blood pressure.

Soda has approximately 22 grams of sugar per each six-ounce can or bottle. The huge cups found at the convenience stores are about one liter or more. If the small can or bottle contains double the amount of our daily allowable sugar intake, you can only imagine what those super-size drinks contain. Sugar is known to be deadly in excess by many of our medical professionals. The food pyramid shows us how little should be consumed and it’s considered a treat. Think about these risk factors more.

Genetics can play a role in determining your risk for difficulties with cardiovascular health. Even those of us who appear to be thin can have high cholesterol. If one or both of our parents and some of our ancestors on either side of the family tree have had a heart attack, chances are we can suffer the same fate. During your next annual checkup consider providing your general practitioner or cardiologist with any family history or pertinent health information.

Filed Under: Exercise, Heart Care Tagged With: , ,

An Apple or Five a Day

December 17, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Fruits and vegetables from a farmers market. c...
Image via Wikipedia

The old proverb that, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is more than just a whimsical saying. Eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day has proven to keep us healthier. A 19 year study in adults ages 25 to 74 found that those who ate three or more servings of fruit a day cut their risk of dying by 27%, as opposed to those who only consumed one serving of fruit per day.

It is actually probably more likely that eating five servings of fruits and vegetables per day reduces the risk factors for cardiac disease rather than actually fighting the disease. Cardiac risk factors include things like being overweight, high cholesterol, and too much fat in the diet. We have no control over some of the factors for heart disease, but by substituting some of the fattier foods with a piece of fruit or a serving of vegetables, you are working towards a healthier lifestyle. You will be more likely to lose weight, the fruit will replace the fat in your diet and in turn, your cholesterol will come down.

Of course, if you are feeling healthier, the chances are that you will want to keep that feeling and work on more healthy aspects of your life. With a little weight off and the fats in your diet not weighing you down, you may just find yourself outside more often, taking in the fresh air, going for a walk. All of these suggestions will start you on a path to a healthier heart. Nobody wants to be faced with the decision to be on a lifetime of heart medication, or to have heart surgery. It is never too late to start getting healthy, and it is so easy to get started. If you eat one apple today, maybe you will eat another tomorrow and you know what they say about an apple a day.

Filed Under: Heart Care, Heart Surgeons, Surgery Tagged With: , , , , , , ,