February is heart month. Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans, and yet 90 percent of heart attacks and strokes could be prevented. If we tackle the preventable risk factors, we can make a real difference in our likelihood of heart disease — AND save some money on those healing candles!
These are the factors we cannot change:
- Age: Unfortunately, the older we are, the higher the risk for heart disease.
- Gender: Both genders suffer equally from heart disease, but more women die each year from heart disease than men. And heart disease is increasing among women, especially young women.
- Ethnicity: Heart disease affects all ethnic groups, but African-Americans are more likely to have high blood pressure and are 30 percent more likely to die from the disease than other groups.
- Family History: Our genetics can double or even triple our risk for heart disease, and where and how we were raised introduces additional risk factors such as living with smokers and diet choice.
It’s important to understand these influences — but, with the exception of age, they’re actually less important than many of the factors we CAN change.
Here are the risk factors we CAN change:
- High blood pressure: High blood pressure may be the largest risk factor for heart disease and complications like heart attack and stroke. It’s important to know our blood pressure and work with a doctor who can prescribe medications or lifestyle changes to help lower it.
- Being overweight: Being overweight or obese also increases our risk for heart disease. Being honest and speaking up for ourselves at the doctor’s office can get us access to drugs, nutrition counseling, and fitness programs.
- Living a sedentary lifestyle: Our heart is a muscle that needs to be exercised, and as much as 35 percent of heart disease may be related to sitting too much and not getting enough exercise. Talking with a doctor and finding an exercise plan that’s appropriate can help lower our heart disease risk.
- Drinking and smoking: Excessive drinking can lead to stroke, high blood pressure, and heart failure. It can directly damage the heart muscle and raise the risk for other heart issues. Smoking damages our veins and arteries, increasing the likelihood of heart attack and stroke. Smoking also increases the risk of other illnesses that put pressure on our heart.
- Not managing other conditions: The number one complication associated with Type-2 diabetes and obesity is heart disease. If we work with a doctor to keep these conditions under control, we can lower our risk for heart disease.
The most important thing is to check blood pressure regularly and take charge of our health. We can affect a positive change in our lives. But it’s up to us.