Heart Disease: Why Even You Should Think About It

We often think of heart disease as a “man’s disease.” In fact, a 50-year-old woman is three times as likely to get heart disease as breast cancer. And heart disease is the number one killer of women, just as it is for men. Risk for a woman starts going up around the age of 55. Heart disease is a concern for children, too. Because of poor diet and exercise habits, many children are overweight and some even have high blood pressure and blood cholesterol. They are more likely to develop the clogged arteries that lead to heart disease later in life. The good news? It’s never too early or too late to take steps to prevent heart disease. Take the “Are You At Risk?” quiz below to see where you stand. Then read on to learn how to lower your risk. Avoid the Haze Smokers are twice as likely to have a heart attack as nonsmokers and are more likely to die from a heart attack. Even nonsmokers who are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke are at risk. Women who smoke and take birth control pills are at even higher risk. And teen smoking is a big concern — about 3,000 teens become smokers every day. The earlier you quit smoking, the better off your heart will be. Get Moving Being sedentary doubles your risk for heart disease. Physical activity is important for everyone, from tots to seniors.Inactive children are more likely to have problems with weight, blood pressure and blood cholesterol. Regular exercise lowers blood pressure and increases “good” HDL cholesterol. It has mental benefits, too, like reduced stress and depression, both linked to heart disease. As little as 30 minutes of activity on most days will reduce your risk not only for heart disease, but also for stroke, diabetes and becoming overweight. Keep Cholesterol in Check High blood cholesterol leads to atherosclerosis, the build-up of fatty plaques in arteries. A healthy cholesterol level is below 200 mg/dl. Eat foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Choose low-fat dairy products and lean meats, poultry and fish. Ease the Pressure High blood pressure is a sign your heart is working too hard and the risk for kidney failure, stroke and congestive heart failure rises. If you have high blood pressure plus obesity, diabetes or high cholesterol or you smoke, your risk of a heart attack multiplies. To keep blood pressure healthy, exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, control your weight and follow your doctor’s advice about medication. Take a Load Off Excess body fat, especially around the waist, is a risk factor for heart disease. Being overweight makes the heart work harder, and raises blood pressure and cholesterol. If you’re overweight, losing just 10 pounds will lower your risk for heart disease. Manage Diabetes People with diabetes have a high risk for heart disease. If you have diabetes, work with your doctor to manage glucose levels. And do your best to control any other risk factors you have. — Judith Hurley, M.S., R.D. Are You At Risk? Check the boxes below that apply to you. I’m a man over 45 years old I’m a woman over 55 years old My father or brother had a heart attack before age 55, or my mother or sister had a heart attack before age 65 A close blood relative had a stroke I smoke or live or work with people who smoke every day My total cholesterol is 240 mg/dl or higher My HDL (“good”) cholesterol is less than 35 mg/dl My blood pressure is 140/90 or higher I exercise less than 30 minutes on most days I’m 20 pounds or more overweight I have diabetes I have coronary heart disease or I’ve had a heart attack I have carotid artery disease, or I’ve had a stroke or TIA, or I have a disease of the leg arteries You can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke by becoming aware of your risk factors. If you have checked two or more boxes, see your health care provider for a complete assessment of your risks. Adapted from “Are you at risk for heart attack or stroke?” American Heart Association, 1999. URL: http://www.americanheart.org/risk/quiz.html.