Especially if you have a family history of heart disease you may find yourself wondering, as you age, what you can do to help prevent it.

Heart disease is an umbrella term that encompasses a variety of conditions that relate to the heart, the blood vessels, or both. Heart disease is still currently the number one cause of death throughout the entire world. While heart disease most commonly affects older adults, warning signs can be there from birth. As a result, prevention is often the most powerful defense against developing heart disease later in life.

The preventative measures taken depend greatly on the risk factors. Some risk factors are out of a person’s control; males, older adults, post-menopausal women, people with a family history of heart disease, and people of certain races (African Americans, American Indians, and Mexican Americans) are all at an increased risk for developing heart disease. Other risk factors can be controlled. These include smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity level that can increase the risk for heart disease. The presence of certain other medical conditions, especially uncontrolled diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, can also contribute to heart disease.

The risk factors that can be controlled should be.

• Stay 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.

• Quit smoking – Smokers are at more than double the risk for heart disease than non-smokers, and even exposure to second-hand smoke can have a serious effect on others.

• Maintain a healthy diet – 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.
• Maintain a healthy weight – 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 and extreme anger 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 and control related 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 from occurring as well.

It is very likely that someone close to you will experience heart disease at some point during your lifetime. It is wise to know the risks and stay informed. The cardiologists at Tampa Cardiovascular Associates are experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease and are glad to offer advice regarding the prevention of such conditions. www.tampacardio.com 813-975-2800.