RISK FACTORS FOR HEART DISEASE
Studies show that some people are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease than others.
Non-modifiable risk factors are factors that are outside of a person's control and cannot be reduced or altered. They are:
Modifiable risk factors can be reduced or prevented by lifestyle behaviors or by medical treatment. They are:
Family History
People with a history of heart disease in their families are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease. The risk of heart disease is increased if a parent in a family dies from heart or blood vessel disease before the age of 60. For people in these families particular attention needs to be given to risk factors that are modifiable.
Sex and Age
A large increase in death rates from heart disease is seen with increasing age in both men and women. Up to the age of 50, the death rate in men is higher than in women. In later years, the difference is smaller, with the rates for men and women being the same in the later years of life.
The differences in death rates for men and women are thought to be hormone related. Some female hormones are thought to protect against heart disease until the menopause.
It has been known for many years that high blood cholesterol, smoking and high blood pressure are the major risk factors for heart disease. It is estimated that:
Cigarette smoking is one of the major causes of heart and blood vessel disease. Cigarette smoking causes many early or premature deaths from cardiovascular disease and cancer. Twenty cigarettes a day reduces the supply of oxygen to the heart by about 10%. Females who smoke and use oral contraceptives are 10X more likely to have a heart attack.
Cholesterol is a white, waxy type of fat found in the tissues and bloodstream of all animals, including humans. Some cholesterol in the blood comes from food, but the body can make all it needs. Most people with high blood cholesterol feel perfectly well. They usually get no warning signs and the only way to find out if their level is high is to have it checked.
Lack of exercise is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. People who are inactive are more likely to:
You can alleviate this by enjoying 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day in your target Heart Rate zone. Your Target Heart Rate is a heart Rate that challenges your cardiovascular system aerobically and is calculated using the following formula.
220 - age = ____ Max. Heart Rate
Max. Heart Rate * 0.6 = ____
Max. Heart Rate * 0.75 = ____
When you exercise aerobically, you need to keep your heart rate somewhere between these two numbers.
Even two 15-minute walks a day can improve heart health.
Too much body fat overloads many parts of the body including the heart and lungs. Fat is living tissue and demands its own supply of oxygen.
It has been calculated that for every 30lb of excess weight, there are 24.85 miles of extra blood vessels through which blood must be pumped.
Being overweight increases the risk of developing health problems, such as high blood pressure high blood cholesterol levels, heart disease, cancer diabetes and stroke.
The key to achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight is regular physical activity and healthy eating. Regular physical activity involves aerobic type activities for 30 - 45 min., 3 - 5 times a week in your target heart rate zone. Healthy eating means consumption of less animal fat and more whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
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