The leading cause of death worldwide is heart disease. Heart disease concerns all ages; how can we prevent it? Lifestyle changes and medicines can reduce many of its risk factors, which is great. This article addresses the top five heart disease risk factors. In preparation for World Health Day 2023 on September 29, Dr. Sanjat Chiwane, Director-Circulology, Max Hospital, Gurgaon, discussed heart disease risk factors and management.
High Blood Pressure
A major cause of heart disease is hypertension. Stressing the heart and arteries increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Options for treating hypertension
Check your blood pressure regularly: Know your numbers. If your blood pressure stays high, see a doctor.
Diet for heart health: Keep track of your diet. Reduce salt and consume more fruits, vegetables, healthy grains, and lean meats. Drink less coffee and booze.
Regular exercise is vital: Do something. Reduce your blood pressure with 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly.
Take medications: Lifestyle changes may not lower blood pressure, thus you may be prescribed hypertension medication.
Bad Cholesterol
High LDL cholesterol increases heart disease risk by causing arterial plaque.
Treatment for high cholesterol requires: Heart-healthy foods like oatmeal, almonds, and fatty fish lower cholesterol. Trans and saturated fats should be limited.
Regular exercise is vital: Physical activity raises heart-healthy HDL cholesterol.
Take medications: If lifestyle changes fail, your doctor may prescribe a cholesterol-lowering drug.
Smoking
Smoking is a major heart disease risk. It damages blood vessels, reduces oxygen, and increases blood clot risk. Addressing this issue requires:
Give up smoking: Smokers should quit. Contact a doctor, support group, or smoking cessation program for help.
Avoid passive smoking: Avoid passive smoking at all costs. Avoid smoking areas.
Diabetes
Because high blood sugar damages blood arteries and neurons, diabetes increases heart disease risk. To lower diabetes-related heart disease risk:
Managing blood sugar: Check your blood glucose levels and follow your doctor’s diabetes plan.
Healthy choices: Healthy eating, exercise, and stress management can control diabetes.
Overweight and inactive
Obesity stresses the heart and causes diabetes and hypertension. Prolonged inactivity increases danger. Implement these measures to combat obesity and inactivity:
Keeping a healthy weight requires a good diet and regular exercise.
Get started: Exercise daily; 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week.
Consider this professional advice: A doctor or nutritionist might suggest weight-loss strategies.
Managing these top five risk factors can help prevent and treat heart disease, a serious public health issue. Strengthening your heart today can help you live longer and healthier tomorrow.
Conclusion:-
Lifestyle changes and medication can lower heart disease risk, the biggest cause of mortality worldwide. Treat hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, and inactivity.
High blood pressure strains the heart and arteries, increasing heart attack and stroke risk. Controlling high blood pressure involves monitoring, eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising, and taking medications if lifestyle changes are insufficient.
High LDL cholesterol increases heart disease risk by causing arterial plaque. Diet, exercise, and medicine can lower cholesterol.
Smoking damages blood arteries, reduces blood oxygen, and increases blood clot risk, increasing heart disease risk. Quitting smoking and avoiding smoke-filled situations are essential.
Because high blood sugar damages blood arteries and neurons, diabetes increases heart disease risk. To reduce diabetes-related heart disease, control blood sugar, maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat a balanced diet, exercise, and manage stress.
Diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac stress from obesity and inactivity raise heart disease risk. Healthy eating, exercise, and professional care help battle obesity and inactivity.
Finally, addressing these top five risk factors prevents and manages heart disease, extending life.
