Risk factors of coronary heart disease include high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, diabetes, lack of exercise and high cholesterol. Heredity, gender and age are also significant considerations for those who are concerned about coronary diseases. While there is no way to eliminate all risks of developing cardiac problems, the prevention of coronary heart disease is a real possibility when individuals decide to lower their controllable risk factors. Heart disease is just one of several vascular diseases, including strokes and artery diseases that is the result of irregular blood flow to the brain or the heart. Even though cardiac problems result in the leading cause of death, preventive measures are entirely possible and can result in prolonged, quality of life for those who are conscientious.
Everyone should be well aware of their family’s health history which can point the way to better management of possible coronary disease. Those born of African American, Native American and Mexican American heritages are particularly prone to high risk factors of coronary heart disease. These groups tend to have higher incidents of cardiac conditions generally due to primary risks such as obesity and diabetes. While over half of all Americans are overweight, these particular ethnic groups tend to develop the problem more than other groups. The prevention of coronary heart disease can be lowered significantly by proper nutritional and weight management. Another genetic factor is whether or not there are coronary difficulties within an immediate family.
If a father or mother has presented with a particular condition in the past, then it is much more likely that a child will develop the same problem. Both parents with heart problems compounds the likelihood. Even though there is no way to circumvent genetic risk factors of coronary heart disease, a person can lower secondary causes to the condition which can lower a person’s risk factor overall. Anyone with a genetic history or cardiac problems should schedule regular physical examinations with a health professional in order to detect any early signs of the condition. Earlier medical management will more likely insure better lifelong health.
Gender and age are important markers in keeping watch on cardiac health for both men and women. Women are less likely to develop problems until age 55 with increasing risks after menopause. Men are more likely to present with a cardiac condition in the mid-40’s with more in number than women. Diagnosing the condition seems to be easier in men than women, with many women going undiagnosed until it is too late. A good line of prevention of coronary heart disease in women is for them to consistently attend medical checkups every year after 55 years of age. Other ways of eliminating risk factors for coronary heart disease is to make certain important lifestyle changes if necessary.
Diet and exercise are extremely important in not only maintaining good vascular health, but in effecting a condition that may already exist. A person’s diet should be low in salt and saturated fats. A low sodium diet can help to control high blood pressure while a low fat diet can provide more protection against arterial plaque. Exercise is important for a variety of reasons that adds up to good health. Doctors suggest a lifestyle regimen that includes at least 4-6 days a week of low impact exercise that lasts for at least 30 minutes at a time. Brisk walking, riding a bike or swimming for 30 minutes a day can lower blood pressure, strengthen arteries, help to control weight gain, and help to lower levels of LDL cholesterol.
Those who smoke should necessarily stop for good cardiac health. People should not smoke since smoking is one of the worst risk factors of coronary heart disease. Even people who have smoked for years can benefit significantly from quitting the habit later in life. Studies have shown that when a person stops smoking at any point, they almost certainly add another 3 years to their life expectancy. Some conditions can be reversed or slowed with careful attention to important health concerns like smoking. Sometimes lifestyle changes may not be enough to pull some patients out of the danger zone for cardiac problems.
For those who already have been diagnosed with vascular problems, there are medications available that can address various issues such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Adding just an aspirin a day has even been effective in providing protection against heart attacks. Patients who remain on a healthy exercise and diet routine plus take the appropriate medications as prescribed by their doctor will be addressing the risks of coronary heart disease before it is too late. No one wants to develop serious cardiovascular problems at any age in life, so the best defense against adverse symptoms of the condition is early prevention of coronary heart disease.