Heart Disease Risk Factors
Deaths due to heart diseases have become very common these days. According to the American Heart Association, 46% of the adult US residents go through hypertension, and every 38 seconds, on average, a person dies due to heart disease. Rates of heart disease, also called cardiovascular disease, are expected to grow even more in the future.
Risk Factors for Heart Diseases:
There are mainly two types of risk factors for heart diseases. The first one is uncontrollable factors. As the name suggests, these cannot be controlled as they are present in the body by birth or by some natural reasons, but yes, they can be slowed down. The second one is controllable factors. There are many factors that you can control to prevent heart diseases. But you need to be very serious about them. Let’s have look at both types.
1. Uncontrollable Factors
- Age or Menopause
As your age passes by, the chances of heart attack increases. According to research, people above 65 years of age are more likely to have heart disease. Women get heart disease 10 years after men do. The reason behind this is the fluctuation of estrogen levels in the body. Estrogen protects women from heart diseases by relaxing down the heart muscles and maintaining cholesterol. As estrogen starts to drop after menopause, cholesterol levels start increasing. In return, the arterial lining starts thickening. Therefore, the chances of heart attacks are higher in women than men.
- Hereditary
If your family has a history of heart-related issues, there are chances that you might face it too. If your brother and father have encountered any heart disease before 55 years of age, or your mother and sister had any heart disease before 65 years, you are at risk of getting it too. Although this is not necessary that each member of the family has to go through it, it depends on the genes and factors responsible for heart diseases in your family.
- Race
According to research and history, African-American, people native to Alaska, and American-Indian have high blood pressure compared to Asian-Americans. High blood pressure increases the rate of heart diseases in them.
2. Controllable Factors
- Blood Pressure
The most common issue nowadays is high blood pressure. This is the main factor that triggers coronary heart diseases. Blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is the condition where the force (pressure) of blood is more than usual on the arteries of the heart. Obesity, diabetes, and the use of a lot of salt and oil in food increases blood pressure, causing heart failure.
- High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy fat-type substance found in all the cells of a body. It can be of two types; good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. Bad cholesterol is a serious risk factor for heart diseases. This fat comes from unhealthy foods such as oil, dairy products, and meat. It blocks the arteries. Good cholesterol does not harm you; it decreases the total cholesterol from the body.
- Depression
Women take a lot of tension and get depressed easily. There is a higher probability of heart issues in women than men due to depression. It affects their heartbeat and develops plague in arteries. Such people suffer heart attacks if they do not control their depression.
- Sleep Apnea
When people get pauses (one or more) in breathing while sleeping, there are chances that he is suffering from sleep apnea. Loud snoring is another symptom of sleep apnea. The tissue in the throat blocks the airflow to the lungs, which in return decreases the oxygen level in the blood. This will lead the heart to pump more strongly. Thus, blood pressure increases, which forms the origin of heart strokes.
- Blood Clotting
Excessive clots in the blood can block blood flow completely and narrow the size of veins and arteries. Pregnant women and people who take so many medicines are likely to have heart attacks because of blood clotting.
- Smoking and No Physical Activity
People smoke because they consider it as a fashion, but they don’t know how harmful it is for their bodies. Intake of tobacco is one of the leading factors for heart disease. Similarly, gym and exercises are not given importance. Your body needs to be physically fit and maintained to live a happy life and to avoid becoming a victim of obesity, diabetes, heart diseases, and other severe diseases.
Treatment and Prevention
- Healthy diet
Whatever you are eating affects your health and physique. To maintain your health, you should avoid junk food, cold drinks, red meat, and oily food. You should increase the intake of vegetables and fruits. They do not contain fats, which will harm your body.
- Blood pressure and Cholesterol
The primary reason behind heart attacks and strokes is high blood pressure as well as bad cholesterol. You should avoid foods that create bad cholesterol and block blood flow. Monitoring blood pressure should be a part of your daily routine. This will secure you from severe diseases. At South Florida CardioVascular Specialists, our specialists do their best to monitor and maintain your blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Surgeries
The treatment of heart diseases also includes surgery. If blockage and clogging occur in arteries, surgeries like angioplasty, bypass, and heart transplant can be done. You need to get your tests done and visit the doctor.
- Physical Activity
Exercising and going to the gym daily can help you to strengthen your heart and improve blood circulation. Keep yourself fit and fine by including yoga, aerobics, and gymnastics in your routine. You should do this for at least 30 minutes.
- Smoking and Alcohol
Too much intake of alcohol and tobacco can raise the risk of heart disease. If you want to live a happy and healthy life, quit smoking and drinking wine. These things damage your organs and increase the weight, which in return, causes heart failure.
Conclusion
Since heart diseases have become a common issue these days, one should follow the preventive measures strictly, as prevention is better than treatment. There are controllable and uncontrollable risk factors of heart diseases, but along with these diseases, the field of medicine is introducing new technologies. South Florida CardioVascular Specialists promises to provide a safe and healthier life. Our specialists are very supportive and friendly. So, schedule an appointment now to learn more about how to mitigate the risk of heart diseases.
