Modifiable Risk Factors for Heart Disease
These are the primary risk factors that you can change, control or treat to aid in the prevention of coronary artery disease. For more information about any heart disease risk factors, or for resources to help you better your heart health, please contact the Minneapolis Heart Institute at (612) 863-3900 (Toll free at (800) 582-5175), or the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation at (612) 863-3979.
Smoking
Smoking is the single most preventable cause of death in the United States. Despite this fact, an estimated 400,000 Americans die each year as a result of smoking. Smoking greatly increases your risk for heart disease, and multiplies your risk of a heart attack two to four times over those who don’t smoke. The more cigarettes you smoke each day, the higher your risk of a heart attack. Smoking also put you at greater risk for sudden cardiac death. The best smoking advice: Don’t start. And if you smoke: Quit. Many programs and products are available to help you quit smoking. It’s useful to learn about several and find the one offering you the best chance for success.
Click on the following link for a listing of smoking cessation resources provided by the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation (MHIF). (Clicking this link will open a new browser window to the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation’s Web site. Simply close the MHIF window to return to this page.)
High Blood Pressure
Your blood pressure is a measure of the force of the blood in your arteries when your heart beats. Increased blood pressure causes the heart to work harder, which weakens the heart muscle over time, and can cause damage to the heart and arteries. Because it has no symptoms, high blood pressure (or hypertension) is often referred to as the “silent killer.” Left untreated, high blood pressure can cause stroke, heart attack or heart failure. People of all ages are at risk for high blood pressure, but it generally affects people over 55. You have high blood pressure if your readings are consistently at or above 140/90 mm Hg. High blood pressure can be the result of stress, physical inactivity, overweight, excessive alcohol use, smoking, salt sensitivity, heredity, age, race or sex.
If you have high blood pressure, or if it runs in your family, see your doctor to work out a personal plan to control your hypertension and maintain a healthy blood pressure.
High Blood Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in the human body and in foods that come from animals. It has many positive functions within the body and is required for us to be healthy. However, excessive amounts of cholesterol in the blood can increase the development of plaque on the walls of the arteries and lead to coronary artery disease.
A full cholesterol profile includes total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and Trigyceride levels. The following are considered to be the ideal levels:
- Total Cholesterol level less than 200 mg/dl
- LDL level less than 100 mg/dl
- HDL greater than 60 mg/dl
- Triglycerides less than 150 mg/dl
A total cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL or greater is considered to be high, a condition known as hyperlipidemea. Your risk of suffering a heart attack is greatly increased with cholesterol levels over 240 mg/dL, especially when other risk factors are present. If you have high cholesterol, talk to your doctor about modifying your diet or exercise routines, or possible cholesterol-lowering medications.
Obesity and Overweight
Being overweight is more than just unhealthy. The more excess weight you carry, the more strain on your heart. People who are overweight tend to have higher blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and are more likely to develop diabetes, and obese adults have an increased risk of developing heart disease and stroke.
Obesity is defined by a weight greater than 30 percent over the recommended weight. If you are overweight, work with your doctor to develop a diet and exercise plan to manage your weight.
Physical Inactivity
Inactive people are twice as likely to develop heart disease as active people are. Regular aerobic exercise lowers resting pulse rate and blood pressure while reducing total cholesterol. Exercise does not have to be painful or difficult to be effective. The new advice for exercise suggests every adult accumulate 30 minutes or more of moderate physical activity five days per week. Visit with your primary health care professional to discuss your options for a realistic and successful exercise program.
Diabetes
Diabetes Mellitus interferes with the body’s ability to produce adequate amounts of insulin needed for your body to use sugars and carbohydrates. Low levels of insulin raise the level of triglycerides, which greatly increases plaque build up in blood vessels. Therefore, people with diabetes are at a much higher risk for developing coronary artery disease. Diabetes cannot be cured but it can be controlled by medications, weight reduction, and a regular exercise program. It is very important to work with your primary doctor to make sure your diabetes is being effectively managed. You should also be sure to discuss any other risk factor concerns you may have with your health care provider to do your best to lower your other modifiable risks for heart disease.
Secondary Risk Factors
Secondary risk factors further contribute to your chances for developing heart disease. Talk to your doctor if you are currently affected by one or more of these contributing risk factors.
Stress
Although stress can not be directly measured, scientists have found a connection between stress and behavior. When you are under stress you are more likely to maintain habits like smoking, drinking or overeating. Stress can also lead to high blood pressure, which contributes to heart disease. See your doctor if you think you may suffer from abnormally high negative stress.
Alcohol
A higher incidence of heart disease is often found among regular and excessive drinkers than among moderate (fewer than one to two drinks daily) or nondrinkers. Besides leading to car and other types of accidents, depression, suicide and alcoholism, alcohol raises blood pressure and triglycerides, constricts the arteries of the heart and can contribute to obesity. If you don’t drink, don’t start! If you do consume alcohol, always stay within the one to two drink limit.
The Minneapolis Heart Institute has developed a unique, comprehensive department that places special emphasis on the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Please click the following link to learn more about MHI’s Preventive Cardiology/Lipid Clinic. This extensive prevention clinic whose staff includes cardiologists, nurse clinicians, dietitians and an exercise specialist, is one of the few of its kind in hospitals and clinics across the nation.
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