By: Chun Wang Tan, M.D., Cardiologist
South Texas Heart Clinic
With the demands of family and career, many people find their 30s and 40s to be the busiest times of their lives. They don't think about their risk of health problems as often as they're worrying about their children or parents. However, these years are the best time to commit to a healthy lifestyle and make changes to avoid future problems.
The first step is assessing your risk of heart disease and determining your overall health. People in this age bracket still have control over much of their health, and can take simple steps to lower their risk of developing heart disease. While some risk factors can be controlled through diet, exercise or drug therapy, others such as gender or family history cannot be helped. The following factors play a role in the likelihood of developing heart disease, and should be taken into account when determining your risk:
- Gender plays a role in the likelihood of developing heart disease since men are at greater risk for heart attacks than women. Men generally exhibit warning signs and are affected by heart disease earlier, but women die at a higher rate than men.
- Heredity and family history play a significant role in the likelihood of having a heart attack, especially if a relative developed early heart disease (before the age of 55). Some families have a higher genetic risk for developing heart disease. For instance, African Americans are more likely to have high blood pressure than Caucasians. African Americans are also more likely to have a stroke earlier in life with more severe results.
- Smoking raises the risk of developing heart disease. Smokers are two to four times more likely to develop heart disease than nonsmokers.
- High blood cholesterol can be caused by many factors, including diet. Foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol raise cholesterol levels.
- High blood pressure decreases the heart's efficiency, making it work harder and become stiff. Blood pressure can be lowered with diet, exercise or drug therapy.
- Physical inactivity can lead to many of the risk factors associated with heart disease.
- Obesity forces the heart to work harder, and often leads to diabetes. Losing even 10 pounds can lower the risk of developing heart disease and its contributing factors.
- Diabetes can increase the risk of heart disease even when blood sugar levels are under control. About 75 percent of people with diabetes will die from some form of heart or blood vessel disease.
- Stress is a normal part of life, but too much can affect heart health. Stress may lead people to overeat, smoke or not get enough sleep, which can raise other risk factors.
- Drinking too much alcohol can also have direct and indirect implications upon your health. Excess drinking can raise blood pressure and cause irregular heartbeats, and may also contribute to cancer and obesity.
Some risk factors can be altered, but others, such as family history and gender cannot be, making it all the more important to determine your risk and make adjustments where possible.
If you are at higher risk for developing heart disease, take control of your risk factors before you develop symptoms. Proactively managing your heart health in your 30s and 40s could lower your risk of developing the disease later in life, potentially adding years to your life.
Dr. Tan is the keynote speaker for the February Healthy Woman Seminar featuring an educative presentation on Women's Heart Health. The seminar will be held tomorrow, Thursday, February 28, 2008 at the Healthy Woman Center located at 1320 W. Oaklawn Suite L. Members may call (830) 769-5353 to RSVP by phone for the event, or they may email marie_smith@chs.net. Women desiring to become a member may pick-up a registration form at the South Texas Regional Medical Center front desk.
Sources:
http://www.americanheart.org
http://www.webmd.com
http://www.fda.gov