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MAMSI > Health Care Professionals
> Your Health
Heart disease is America's number-one killer. The term "heart disease" usually
describes coronary artery disease (CAD). In CAD, the arteries in the heart become blocked
with enough cholesterol (fat) to reduce or stop the flow of blood. If this happens, the heart
does not get the steady supply of blood and oxygen it needs to stay healthy. This can damage
the heart muscle and cause chest pain or a myocardial infarction ("heart attack").
Stroke is the nation's number-three killer and a leading cause of severe,
long-term disability. Stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease. It affects the arteries
leading to and within the brain. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and
nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or cholesterol. When that happens, part of
the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it starts to die. For more information
regarding your risk for stroke, click here or go to The American Stroke Association website
Understand Your Risk
Risk factors are traits and lifestyle habits that increase your risk of developing
heart disease or stroke. In general the more risk factors you have the greater your chance of
developing blood vessel blockage that can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Some risk factors
are out of your control, and others are not.
Risk factors you can not control include:
- Increasing age (45 years or older for men; 55 years or older for women)
- Gender
- Race
- Family medical history of early (before 55 for men, 65 for women) heart disease
- Previous heart attack or stroke
Risk factors that you can control, treat or prevent include:
- High blood pressure
- High blood cholesterol (high LDL ("bad") cholesterol)
- Smoking
- Physical inactivity
- Obesity/overweight
- Diabetes
Control High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, raises your risk of heart
disease, stroke, and kidney failure. High blood pressure causes the heart to work harder
than normal, which makes the heart and arteries more prone to injury.
If your blood pressure is higher than 140/90 mm Hg when measured on two or
more occasions, then you have high blood pressure. If your blood pressure is 120-139/80-90,
then you are pre-hypertensive and should also take steps to promote lifestyle changes to
prevent disease. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mm Hg.
If you have high blood pressure, see your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe
a heart-healthy diet, weight loss (if needed), regular exercise, restricted salt
intake and possibly medication. To learn about the National Heart Lung & Blood Institute's
heart healthy low sodium DASH Diet plan, click here
Control High Blood Cholesterol
A high cholesterol level is bad because the cholesterol can build up in
the walls of arteries that bring blood to the heart and brain, thus narrowing the arteries
and reducing blood flow. High cholesterol has no symptoms so it's important to find out what
your cholesterol levels are so you can lower them if you need to. Check with you doctor to
have cholesterol screening done.
There are two main types of cholesterol, "bad" cholesterol or low-density
lipoprotein (LDL) and "good" cholesterol or high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Your LDL
cholesterol goal depends on how many other risk factors (listed in the above section
titled "Know Your Risk") you have:
If you don't have heart disease, hardening of the arteries or diabetes
and have one or no risk factors as determined in the Know Your Numbers risk calculator,
then your LDL goal is less than 160 mg/dL.
If you don't have heart disease, hardening of the arteries or diabetes and
have two or more risk factors then your LDL goal is less than 130 mg/dL.
If you do have heart disease, hardening of the arteries or diabetes your
LDL goal is less than 100 mg/dL.
If you have high blood cholesterol then eating a healthy diet, maintaining
a healthy weight and getting regular physical activity are important to lowering your risk.
To develop a personal eating plan that will help keep your blood cholesterol low, click here.
Stop Smoking
People who smoke incur damage to blood vessel walls, causing plaque to
build up. Smoking also promotes heart disease by reducing HDL ("good") cholesterol.
Smoking may disturb the heart rhythm in people who have chest pain or who have had a
heart attack. This can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. Cigarette smoking is the biggest
risk factor for sudden cardiac arrest.
If you don't smoke now, don't start. Talk with your health care provider
if you need help quitting.
Increase Physical Activity
Exercise can help control blood cholesterol, diabetes and obesity. It can
also help lower blood pressure. Regular, moderate-to-vigorous activities such as walking,
gardening or dancing for a total of 30 minutes on most or all days can help your heart.
Before starting a vigorous exercise program you should check with your doctor. Make time
for regular physical activity to help lower your risk of developing heart disease.
Target a Healthy Weight
People who have excess body fat are at higher risk for heart disease
and stroke even if they don't have other risk factors. Eating too many calories and
getting too little exercise are the main causes of obesity.
One way to determine whether you have excess body fat is by using the
Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is a measure of total body fat using height and weight.
Click here
to find your BMI by using the National Heart Lung & Blood Association's calculator.
You can also read about BMI and the health risks associated with obesity by clicking here.
To lose weight most women should eat 1,200 to 1,500 calories a day, but
not less than 1,200. Most men should eat 1,500 to 1,800 calories a day, but not less
than 1,500. Losing one to two pounds per week or less is considered a healthy weight loss.
For help in adopting a healthy eating plan, visit the American Heart Association Web site at
www.deliciousdecisions.org
If you can't lose weight on your own, talk to your doctor or a registered
dietitian or nutritionist.
Take Your Medications As Prescribed
Ask your doctor if taking aspirin every day is right for you, and don't stop
taking any of the medicines prescribed for high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes,
even if you are feeling better, unless your doctor tells you to. You should also try to take
your medicine every day at the same time and use a pill box if necessary to help you remember.
Always tell your doctor if you think you are experiencing side effects from your medicines.
The Diabetes Factor
Diabetes increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. One reason is that
diabetes is usually linked with high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It also affects the
blood vessels. Many people with diabetes also have high blood pressure. People with diabetes
should monitor their blood glucose levels regularly and make necessary lifestyle changes
and/or take medicine prescribed by a doctor to maintain a normal blood sugar level.
Know Your Numbers and Take Action!
Take these important steps in determining your risks and lowering your chances
of developing heart disease.
Step 1: Check Your Risk Factors
Count up the number of the following risk factors that apply to you:
- Cigarette smoking
- High Blood Pressure (140/90 mmHg or higher or taking medication for high
blood pressure)
- Low HDL "good" cholesterol (less than 40 mg/dL) *
- Family history of early heart disease (in father or brother before 55 years
old; in mother or sister before 65 years old)
- Age (men 45 years or older; women 55 years or older)
* If your HDL "good" cholesterol is 60 mg/dL or higher, subtract 1 from
your total count
Step 2: Calculate Your 10 Year Risk
To estimate your 10-year risk of having a heart attack, use the National
Cholesterol Education Program's calculator .
Step 3: Assign Your Risk Category
To assign your risk category, use the following table:
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If You Have
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Your Category Is
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Heart disease, diabetes, or a risk score more than 20%
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Highest Risk
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2 or more risk factors from the list above AND a risk score between 10-20%
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Next Highest Risk
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2 or more risk factors from the list above AND a risk score less than 10%
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Moderate Risk
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0 or 1 of the above risk factors
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Low to Moderate Risk
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Step 4: Set Your Goals for Managing Your Risk
Print out the document below and work with your health care practitioner
to develop a plan of action that will help you reduce your risk by working on the things
you CAN control.
Click below to print copies of these other tools to help you track and manage your heart health.
Resources
Here are a few additional resources to help you take charge of your health and lifestyle.
American Dietetic Association
1-800-877-1600
www.eatright.org
American Heart Association
1-800-AHA-USA1
www.americanheart.org
American Lung Association
"Freedom From Smoking"
1-800-LUNG-USA
www.lungusa.org
American Stroke Association
1-888-4-STROKE
www.StrokeAssociation.org
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
1-800-575-WELL
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health
National Institutes of Health
www.nih.gov
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