Your Health

Regrettably, there is currently no cure for heart disease. Once you have it you will always have it. Only through lifestyle modification can you reduce the progression of the disease and your risk of having a heart attack. Diet, exercise, weight loss, smoking cessation, and control of blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes are of utmost importance. Pharmaceuticals only provide one part of the puzzle of correcting heart disease related issues.

The best way to avoid having to see a cardiologist is by eating healthy and staying fit. Extensive clinical and statistical studies have identified several factors that increase the risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack. Major risk factors are those that research has shown significantly increase the risk of heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease. Other factors are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but their significance and prevalence haven't yet been precisely determined. They're called contributing risk factors.

The American Heart Association has identified several risk factors. Some of them can be modified, treated or controlled, and some can not. The more risk factors you have, the greater your chance of developing coronary heart disease. Also, the greater the level of each risk factor, the greater the risk. For example, a person with a total cholesterol of 300 mg/dL has a greater risk than someone with a total cholesterol of 245 mg/dL, even though everyone with a total cholesterol greater than 240 is considered high-risk.

Some of the things to avoid are as follows:

1. Smoking - Smokers' risk of developing coronary heart disease is 2-4 times that of nonsmokers.

2. Proper Diet - 33% of the US population is obese.

   1. Reducing your intake of foods high in saturated fat is one way of improving your health. Your body needs the vitamins and minerals provided by eating green leafy vegetables as well as the fiber provided by many other vegetables.

   2. Reduce Fast food intake - Fast food companies are beginning to take notice of the role they play in the diet of America. Ask for a nutrition sheet when you patron your favorite fast food restaurant.

   3. Salt - Sodium is in everything you eat now and can be the number one reason for high blood pressure. Many have found that going on a low salt diet allows them to reduce or even eliminate their blood pressure medicine (never reduce your medication without approval from your physician).

3. Exercise - Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for developing coronary artery disease. The heart is a muscle and must be exercised in order to be healthy. Walking 15-30 minutes 3 times a week should be the minimum target you should look for.

4. Lower stress lifestyle. We live in a very stressful world. Learning to manage that stress is critically important to your health.

Before changing your diet or exercise program, consult your physician to insure that you are making what s/he feels are the best decisions for your body. Your doctor may add to the changes you plan to make or modify how quickly you fall into your new lifestyle.

Coronary Heart Disease
High Blood Pressure
Peripheral Arterial Disease