It is never too early or too late to begin managing your risk for cardiovascular disease. Whenever you start, it will serve to prevent a heart attack, stroke, or early death. How do you do this? Keep reading for the best ways no matter your age.
Begin By Knowing Your Risks
Risk factors are things that make you more susceptible to certain conditions like cardiovascular disease. They include traits and lifestyle habits that increase your risk. Some traits that are part of you may not be changeable, but purposely altering certain lifestyle habits may lower your personal risk.
Common risk factors for cardiovascular disease include smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Talk with New Jersey Cardiology Associates about regular blood and screening tests to determine the level of your risk factors.
Know your numbers and consider where you fall short. Keeping your blood sugar within normal levels and losing some weight is a good start.
Giving up smoking is helpful at any age.
Additional risk factors include the following:
- Parent(s) who had cardiovascular disease
- High cholesterol
- Chronic kidney disease
- Excess body fat around the waist
- Chronic inflammatory conditions like HIV/AIDS, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis
- Ethnicities including Mexican Americans, American Indians, and Native Hawaiians
- Older age
Control What You Can
Obviously, certain risk factors cannot be controlled. Your age, ethnicity, family history, and being male are all traits you must live with.
If you really want to manage your risk for cardiovascular disease, change what you can. The sooner you concentrate on these factors, the better your chance for living a longer life.
Stop Smoking and Vaping
Nicotine causes high blood pressure, promotes plaque to develop in your arteries, and causes blood clots. Ask New Jersey Cardiology Associates to recommend some programs if you need help.
A sedentary lifestyle can contribute to cardiovascular problems. Aim for mild to moderate exercise if you are in midlife and mild if you are a senior. Aim for daily movement from walking, swimming, riding your bike, and aim to increase the duration and frequency of exercise. If you are someone in your 20s or 30s, now is the right time to get a head start on managing your risks for cardiovascular disease.
Avoid fatty, fried foods, sugar and snacks, and concentrate on lean meats, fruits and vegetables, fish, and whole grains to keep your weight in check and your heart healthy.
Stress can lead to all types of negative behaviors such as overeating, drinking alcohol, smoking more, and not getting enough sleep. All this can put pressure on your heart.