If you have a family history of heart disease you may wonder, proactively, if there is anything you can do to help prevent succumbing to the same fate as your elders. The truth is while there is no foolproof way to avoid heart issues, especially genetic ones, there are certainly steps you can take to help give your heart and circulatory system extra support.

What is Heart Disease?

Heart disease is a blanket term that encompasses a wide variety of conditions related to the heart and or blood vessels. Though the mortality rate has decreased in recent years, heart disease is still currently the top cause of death worldwide. There is no age discrimination when it comes to heart disease either. While it mostly effects senior adults, it can be present at birth. This is why lifestyle choices and lifelong habits make a difference later on in life.

The preventative measures depend on the risk factors present. Genetic risk factors are completely out of a person’s control – such as age, sex, and race. Other risk factors can be controlled include smoking, weight, and living a sedentary lifestyle. Medical conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol can also raise the risk.

Preventative Actions Include:

• Eat Healthy – A healthy diet helps in keeping cholesterol and blood pressure levels within a good range and contributes to your overall health. Typical foods to avoid are those high in trans and saturated fats, sodium, cholesterol, and refined sugars.
• Quitting smoking – Smokers are at more than double the risk for heart disease than non-smokers, and even exposure through second-hand smoke can have a serious effect on others.
• Staying active – Most doctors recommend around 30 minutes of exercise a day, with more benefits seen with vigorous activity. Even something as simple as taking a daily walk can make a huge impact on one’s heart health.
• Keep your weight in range – The extra weight of obesity puts an added strain on the heart and all of the blood vessels connected to it. Obesity can also contribute to related conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
• Manage stress levels – Unmanaged stress levels can eventually culminate in the form of a heart attack or stroke. Many techniques are available for reducing stress levels, which can both reduce the risk for heart disease as well as improve a person’s overall quality of life.
• Manage your medical conditions – High cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes can all contribute to the development of heart disease. Staying active and maintaining a healthy diet and weight can help manage these conditions, which in turn helps to prevent heart disease.

Following these tips, even if you do have a genetic predisposition to heart issues can help you keep your heart strong and healthy and give you the very best shot at maintaining a state of wellness throughout your lifetime.

While activity and nutrition are extremely important for maintaining a healthy heart, never begin a diet or exercise program without consulting with a medical professional first.

The cardiologists at Tampa Cardiovascular Associates are experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease and are happy to offer advice regarding the prevention of such conditions. www.tampacardio.com 813-975-2800.