Mark A. Mahoney
- Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the U.S., but there are steps you can take to minimize your risk.
- Risk factors for heart disease include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking.
- Women are at an increased risk for heart disease after menopause.
American Heart Month is a vital reminder to prioritize your heart health and raise awareness about cardiovascular disease. Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. But you can do a lot to protect your heart and stay healthy.
Heart-healthy living involves understanding your risk, making healthy choices, and taking steps to reduce your chances of getting heart disease, including coronary heart disease, the most common type.
By taking preventive measures, you can lower your risk of developing heart disease that could lead to a heart attack. You can also improve your overall health and well-being.
Understanding risks
Preventing heart disease starts with knowing what your risks factors are and what you can do to lower them.
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Risk factors for heart disease:
• High blood pressure• High blood cholesterol• Be overweight or obese• Be prediabetic or diabetic• Smoke• Do not get regular physical activity• Have a family history of early heart disease, for example if your father or brother was diagnosed before age 55, or your mother or sister was diagnosed before age 65• Have a history of preeclampsia, which is a sudden rise in blood pressure and too much protein in the urine during pregnancy• Have unhealthy eating behaviors• Are age 55 or older for women or age 45 or older for men
Each risk factor increases your chance of developing heart disease. The more risks you have, the higher your overall risks.
Some risk factors cannot be changed. These include your age, sex, and a family history of early heart disease. Many others can be modified. For example, being more physically active and eating healthy are important steps for your heart health. You can make the changes gradually, one at atime. But making them is very important.
Women and heart disease
Women generally get heart disease about 10 years later than men do, but it’s still women’s #1 killer. After menopause, women are more likely to get heart disease, in part because estrogen hormone levels drop.
Women who have gone through early menopause, either naturally or because they have had a hysterectomy, are twice as likely to develop heart disease as women of the same age who have not gone through menopause. Middle age is also a time when women tend to develop other risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure.
Your provider can be an important partner in helping you set and reach goals for heart health. Ask about your risk for heart disease at your annual checkup. Since your risk can change over time, keep asking each year.
Some questions to ask your provider at your annual checkup
- What is my risk of developing heart disease?
- What is my blood pressure? What does it mean for me, and what do I need to do about it?
- What are my cholesterol numbers? What do they mean for me, and what do I need to do about them?
- What is my body mass index (BMI) and waist measurement? Do I need to lose weight for my health?
- What is my blood sugar level, and does it mean I’m at risk for diabetes?
- What other screening tests for heart disease do I need? How often should I return for check-ups for my heart health?
- How can we work together to help me quit smoking?
- How much physical activity do I need to help protect my heart?
- What is a heart-healthy eating plan for me? Should I see a registered dietitian/nutritionist (RDN)?
- How can I tell when I’m having a heart attack or other cardiovascular incident?
If you already are being treated for heart disease or heart disease risk factors, discuss your treatment plan with your provider.
Ask questions if you do not understand something or need more information. You may want to write down questions before your appointment as well.
Some questions to discuss about your heart disease prevention and treatment plan
- How does my treatment compare with what is recommended in the latest guidelines?
- How well is my treatment plan working for me?
- Are my risk factors for heart disease in a good range or getting better?
- If your provider recommends medicine or a medical procedure, ask about the benefits and risks.
Next week’s column will focus on the following topics and provide links for more detailed information.
- Are you heart smart? What to know for a healthier heart
- Eating healthier for your heart
- Reducing stress for a healthier heart
Taking steps to become more knowledgeable about heart disease and then following a heart-healthy lifestyle has the potential for attaining a better quality of life. Habits do take some time to become established but positive lifestyle habits can be of benefit over a lifetime.
Additional Information
Check out the following resource from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Take Action for Your Heart: Get Started Fact Sheet at nhlbi.nih.gov.
Mark A. Mahoney, Ph.D. has been a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist for over 35 years and completed graduate studies in Nutrition & Public Health at Columbia University. He can be reached at marqos69@hotmail.com.
