Staying Heart Smart
Caring for your heart is a lifelong endeavor. Doing so can be easier with a strong Heart Center, skilled physicians, and education centered on cardiovascular health and wellness.
It starts here, by knowing if you're at risk for developing heart disease.
Some risk factors can be modified, treated or controlled while others, like genetics, can't. The more risk factors you have, the greater the risk of developing coronary artery disease.
According to the American Heart Association, the major factors you an modify, treat or control by changing your lifestyle or taking prescribed medicines include:
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Tobacco Use
Smokers have two to four times more risk for heart disease than nonsmokers. Smokers are also more likely to die suddenly from a heart attack. People who breathe in second hand smoke are also at increased risk.
High Blood Cholesterol
When combined with high blood pressure, the risk increases.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure increases the heart's workload causing the heart to thicken, increasing your risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and congestive heart failure.
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Physical Inactivity
Regular, even moderate exercise helps prevent heart and blood vessel disease. The more vigorous the activity, the greater the benefit.
Obesity
Excess body fat, especially at the waist, means an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Excess weight increases the heart's workload.
Diabetes
About three quarters of those with diabetes die from some form of heart disease, even with glucose levels under control.
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Education can also help you recognize the typical signs of a heart attack:
- Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back
- Pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck or arms
- Chest discomfort with light-headedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath
You can read more about heart disease, risk factors, take risk assessment quizzes, and learn about women and heart disease. And learn how best to care for your heart.
For more information, call (818) 502-2378, visit Find A Doctor or Meet Our Heart Center Doctors.
