Are You Risk For Cardiovascular Disease?
- Wednesday, December 16, 2009, 5:25
- Health Care, Heart Support
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Cardiovascular disease is one of the most devastating diseases known to man. It is the leading cause of death in the United States and is responsible for 1 death every 33 seconds.
Risk factors for cardiovascular disease include smoking, elevated levels of stress, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, overweight and sedentary lifestyle. Heredity and age are also risk factors but they are beyond one’s control.
How to know if you are at risk for cardiovascular disease?
Many lifestyle factors govern the development of cardiovascular disease. You can monitor your lifestyle pattern and make necessary amendments in order to keep your cardiovascular system healthy. These lifestyle habits include lack of exercise, smoking, diet and stress. You might be at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease if:
You smoke:
According to the American Heart Association (AHA) chained smokers and those consuming over a pack of cigarettes on a daily basis are at an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease.
Most smokers are also 2-4 times more likely to die when struck by a heart attack. Smoking is known to reduce the level of HDL or the ‘good’ cholesterol in our system and the nicotine in cigarette smoke results in increased heart rate and high blood pressure. Smoking also reduces the level of oxygen in the blood.
You have high blood pressure:
High blood pressure is also known as hypertension and is a silent killer as it does not have any warning signs. Hypertension forces the heart to work harder and weakens the walls of the arteries.
It can result in heart attack, atherosclerosis, stroke or kidney damage. If you are suffering from high blood pressure, you are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. But with proper medication, exercise, diet and weight management you can lower your blood pressure.
Your cholesterol levels are high:
Cholesterol might be vital to good health but when in excess it tends to clog the arteries and increases your chances of developing cardiovascular disease. Cholesterol is of two types- LDL cholesterol or low density lipoprotein which as known as ‘bad’ cholesterol and HDL cholesterol or high density lipoprotein which is known as ‘good’ cholesterol.
High levels of LDL cholesterol and low levels of HDL cholesterol cause heart disease. In order to improve your cholesterol levels you need to cut down the total fat intake in your diet. You must begin by replacing unsaturated fats with saturated fats and increase your intake of soluble dietary fiber.
You are overweight:
If your body weight is 30% or more above the recommended level, you are a great candidate for cardiovascular disease. Being overweight lays excessive strain on the heart by increasing blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It is essential for you to start exercising and cut down on additional calories.
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