Knowledge is power. If you understand the risks for heart attack, you can take steps to improve your health. Show
Risk factors are traits and lifestyle habits that can increase your chance of having a heart attack. So, it’s important to know them. You can change some risk factors, some you can’t. The first step is to talk to your health care professional, who can help you reduce, control or prevent as many risk factors as you can. They may recommend healthy changes to your daily habits, prescribe medication, or both. If you don’t have a primary care physician, you may be able to see someone at a clinic in your community. Know Your RiskYour health care team will review your medical and family history. They will also want to know:
Your health care professional may use a risk calculator to estimate your chance for a heart attack. If you’re between 40 and 75 years old and have never had a heart attack, ask to have your risk of a cardiovascular event assessed in the next 10 years. You can use the Check. Change. Control. Calculator™. Traditional risk factors for heart attack include:
Risk-enhancing factors include:
Can risk factors be changed?Some risk factors can be changed and some can’t. You may be born with certain risk factors that can’t be changed. Since you can’t do anything about these risk factors, it’s even more important to manage your risk factors that can be changed. Risk factors that can't be changedIncreasing age The majority of people who die of coronary heart disease are 65 or older. While heart attacks can strike people of both sexes in old age, women are at greater risk of dying (within a few weeks). Male genderMen have a greater risk of heart attack than women do, and men have attacks earlier in life. Children of parents with heart disease are more likely to develop heart disease. Historical and systemic factors play a major role in these statistics. Among them are adverse social determinants of health, the conditions in which a person is born and lives. The determinants include lack of access to health care and healthy foods, and other societal issues. Risk factors you can changeTobacco smoke and vaping Tobacco use is a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Nicotine, one of the chemicals in cigarettes and e-cigarettes, causes your heart to beat faster and blood pressure to rise. Smoking makes clots more likely to form. It can also promote the buildup of plaque in arteries. If you smoke, get help to quit. Many effective tools are available. These include behavior modification programs, nicotine replacement medicines and other medications. Learn about smoking and cardiovascular disease High blood cholesterolIf you’re over age 20, you should have your cholesterol checked every four to six years as part of a cardiovascular risk assessment. If certain factors put you at higher risk, or if you already have heart disease, you may need to check it more often. Learn more about managing your cholesterol. High blood pressureHigh blood pressure increases the heart’s workload, causing the heart muscle to thicken and become stiffer. This stiffening of the heart muscle is not normal and causes the heart to function abnormally. It also increases your risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and congestive heart failure. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mm Hg. Learn more about managing your blood pressure. Physical inactivityAn inactive lifestyle is a risk factor for coronary heart disease. Regular moderate to vigorous physical activities can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Physical activity can help control blood cholesterol, diabetes and obesity. It can also help lower blood pressure in some people. Learn more about getting active. Obesity and being overweightPeople who have excess body fat – especially if a lot of it is at the waist – are more likely to develop heart disease and stroke, even if they have no other risk factors. Many people may have difficulty losing weight. But for those above a healthy weight, a sustained weight loss of 3% to 5% may lead to significant reductions in some risk factors. Greater sustained weight losses can improve blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose. Learn more about managing your weight. DiabetesDiabetes seriously increases your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. If you have diabetes, regular checkups are critical to help keep your blood sugar under control. Work with your health care team to develop healthy eating habits, control your weight and get regular physical activity. You also may need medicines to help control your blood sugar or insulin levels. Learn more about managing your diabetes. Other factors to considerStress Everyone feels stress, but people react differently. Individual response to stress may be a contributing factor for heart attacks. Over time, unhealthy responses to stress may create health problems. For example, people under stress may overeat, start smoking or smoke more than they otherwise would. Find ways to address the causes of your stress and make time for things you enjoy. Get stress management tips and tools. SleepGetting a good night’s sleep regularly is vital to cardiovascular health. Good sleep benefits your whole body, including your heart and brain, and can improve mood, memory and reasoning. Adults should aim for an average 7-9 hours a night, and babies and kids need more depending on their age. Get tips for getting good sleep. AlcoholDrinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure, and increase your risk for cardiomyopathy, stroke, cancer and other diseases. It can also contribute to high triglycerides and cause irregular heartbeats. Excessive alcohol consumption also contributes to obesity, alcoholism, suicide and accidents. Read our recommendation on alcohol and heart health. Diet and nutritionA healthy diet is one of the best ways to fight cardiovascular disease. What you eat (and how much) can affect other controllable risk factors, such as cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes and weight. To maintain a healthy weight, coordinate your diet with your physical activity level so you’re using up as many calories as you consume. Learn more about healthy eating. Be a Team Player and Ask for SupportA heart attack can occur at any age. You’re never too young to start living healthier. If you’re over 40, or if you have multiple risk factors, work closely with your health care team to address your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. A team-based approach is the best way to prevent heart disease and stroke. You and your health care team can build a prevention plan that works for you. If you’re prescribed medications to manage blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure or other conditions, take them as directed. Talk about challenges in your life that may affect your health and ask for support. If you have concerns about accessing care, affording your medications or finding transportation to and from medical appointments, ask your health care team about finding resources. You’re the most important member of your health care team. And they depend on you to tell them how you feel and what help you need. So ask questions and make decisions together. Together, you can reduce your risk of heart attack. Check. Change. Control.CalculatorWhat's your risk for a heart or stroke event? Check your risk Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers. See our editorial policies and staff. What are the 5 controllable risk factors?A poor diet, high blood pressure and cholesterol, stress, smoking and obesity are factors shaped by your lifestyle and can be improved through behavior modifications. Risk factors that cannot be controlled include family history, age and gender.
What are 3 examples of controllable risk factors?Controllable Risk Factors. Smoking – Cigarette smoking is the leading risk factor for sudden cardiac death. ... . High Blood Pressure – Called the "silent killer" since it has few observational symptoms. ... . Abnormal Blood Lipids (cholesterol levels) – Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found in our cells.. What are 4 uncontrollable risk factors for heart disease?3 Uncontrollable Risk Factors for Heart Disease. Genetics. Yes, heart disease can be hereditary, but it's not as hereditary as people think, Dr. ... . Age. Put simply, older people have a higher risk of heart disease, so the older you get, the higher your risk, Dr. ... . Gender. ... . Smoking. ... . Diet. ... . Exercise. ... . Cholesterol. ... . Blood Pressure.. Which of these is a controllable risk factor for disease quizlet?Heredity is considered a controllable risk factor. Personal behavior is the only factor that determines if a person becomes ill.
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