|
Heart disease is the leading cause of death
for Americans today, according to the American
Heart Association (AHA), accounting for about
41.5% of all deaths. When it comes to
heart health, you need to consider what you
can control, as well as what you can't.
Factors that can't be changed include age,
sex and family history. The incidents of
heart disease increases with your age.
Males over 45 and females over 55 are at
higher risk of having a heart attack.
Family history is also relevant. If
heart disease has happened to someone in the
family, it automatically puts the patient at
risk.
If your risk is increased by factors that
you can't control, steps can be taken to
reduce lifestyle risk factors- the factors you
can control. These include smoking,
obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol
and physical inactivity.
Identify your risk factors. Have your
blood pressure and cholesterol checked.
If you smoke, quit. And get
active. Although physical inactivity
isn't a direct cause of heart attacks, it
contributes to other risk factors such as high
blood pressure and cholesterol. Consult
your Primary Care Physician before starting an
exercise program and, of course, begin
gradually. Your doctor also can advise a
prudent diet and other methods of reducing
high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol.
(Article taken from CIGNA Health Care)
|
