Knowing the risk factors for heart disease and learning how to live a healthier lifestyle can help you keep your heart healthy.
Risk factors you cannot change:
- Family history of heart disease or stroke (grandparents, parents, siblings).
- Age - your risk of heart disease and stroke increases as you get older. Women over 55 who have had premature menopause and men over 45 years are at increased risk.
- Gender - men are more likely to have heart disease at an earlier age. However, more women die from heart disease and stroke.
Risk factors you can change:
Smoking | High blood pressure | High cholesterol | Stress | Diabetes| Sedentary lifestyle | Obesity
Smoking
Smoking is the most important cause of preventable illness and premature death for Canadians. It can quick the onset of heart disease and cause a heart attack because it damages the lining of your arteries and starves your heart of oxygen.
Smokers have a 70% greater risk of getting heart disease than non-smokers.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure is also known as "hypertension" puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke.
Have your blood pressure checked by your doctor, and ask what the results mean. If your doctor prescribes medication to lower your blood pressure take it as directed.
High cholesterol
The most important things you can do to lower your blood cholesterol are:
- Limit the amount of fat in your diet
- Increase the fibre in your diet
- Be physically active
Have your blood cholesterol checked by your doctor, and ask what the results mean. Talk with your doctor about how often you should have your cholesterol checked. If you have medication to lower your blood cholesterol and take it as directed
Stress
Researchers are studying the link between stress and heart disease. For some people stress causes higher blood cholesterol, higher blood pressure and blood platelets that are more likely to clot. This is made worse if people smoke or eat a high fat diet.
Diabetes
About five of every 100 Canadians are affected by diabetes. Also people with diabetes have a higher risk of heart disease, but you can reduce this risk by:
- Taking your insulin (or oral drug) if prescribed, to keep your blood sugar level under control
- Managing your diet carefully
- Being physically active
- Maintaining the body weight that's right for you
Sedentary lifestyle
The heart is like any other muscle in your body - it needs exercise to stay healthy. You can reduce your risk with regular physical activity (light to moderate).
Studies suggest that inactive people have twice the risk of developing heart disease.
Make exercise part of your daily routine. Try to be active 30-60 minutes a day, every day of the week.
Obesity
Obesity is defined by a body mass index (BMI), which is weight (in kg) divided by height squared (in metres). A body mass index of >27 is associated on increased health risks and denotes obesity.
Tips for a healthy weight loss program:
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