HEART ATTACK: PART TWO
© Kathleen Newton
MAJOR RISK FACTORS THAN CANNOT BE CHANGED:
HEREDITY: Your chances of having a heart attack are increased if there is a history of heart attack and coronary heart disease (CHD) in your family.
GENDER: Men have a higher risk of heart attack and heart disease than women do. However, the risk to women increases significantly after menopause.
AGE: As age increases, so does the chance of dying from coronary heart disease.
RISK FACTORS THAT CAN BE CHANGED:
SMOKING: In addition to all the other health hazards associated with smoking, your odds of dying from coronary heart disease are increased by 70% if you are a smoker. Even non-smokers are at risk for smoking-related disease if exposed regularly to second-hand smoke. The good news: smokers who kick the habit reduce their risk of smoking-related disease almost to that of people who have never smoked.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: High blood pressure is a major risk factor for both heart attack and stroke. Blood pressure can be controlled through weight loss, limiting salt intake, and medication, if necessary.
HIGH CHOLESTEROL: High levels of "bad" cholesterol cause fatty plaque to build up on the inside walls of arteries. This can eventually lead to a partial or complete blockage of blood flow through the artery, causing a heart attack or stroke, depending on the location of the blockage. Cholesterol can be controlled either through diet (a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol) or medication. Heredity is also thought to have some impact on cholesterol levels.
SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE: "Couch Potatoes" have an increased risk for coronary heart disease and heart attack. Lack of exercise can also contribute to obesity, which is a contributing risk factor of heart attack.
CONTRIBUTING RISK FACTORS:
OBESITY: Being overweight places additional strain on the heart. In addition to this excess strain, obesity can contribute to high blood pressure and cholesterol.
DIABETES: The risk of developing diabetes is greatest in middle age. Those who are overweight have an even greater risk of developing diabetes. Even though diabetes can go undetected for years, it can greatly increase the risk of heart attack. Diabetes can be controlled by diet and exercise, or medication.
STRESS: Chronic excessive stress can cause health problems. Management and reduction of mental and emotional stress can help to eliminate this contributing factor of heart attack.
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