Controlling Your Risk Factors for a First Heart Attack

The Basic Cause of Heart Disease
Atherosclerosis is a long-term disease process in which cholestoral and other substances build up in the inner lining of artery walls.  Eventually, the artery may become completely closed off.  When the blood supply can't reach a part of the heart muscle, that part begins to die.  This is called a heart attack.  The risk factors for heart attacks are conditions and habits that tend to speed the development of atherosclerosis.  It's important to identify them, and eliminate or modify as much as you can.  They can slow the development of atherosclerosis and help prevent a heart attack.  Understanding your risk is one major step in heart attack prevention.  But it's important to do something about it, too.  Regular medical checkups with your doctor can help.  Your doctor can make sure your medical risk factors are treated and can help you in developing a heart-healthy lifestyle.

What Can Put You At Risk?
While not all risk factors for heart attacks can be changed, such as your age or family history, there are many that can be modified.

Age/Sex
The older you get, the more your risk of a heart attack increases.  Men over 45 and women over 55 are at much greater risk. As you get older, it's recommended that you have regular check-ups.

Family History of Heart Attack
If your brothers, sisters, parents, or grandparents have had early heart attacks, you may be at risk, too.  Most people with a strong family history of heart disease have one or more risk factors.  Your family may have a genetic condition that raises blood cholesterol, high blood pressure may run in the family, or you may have picked up bad lifestyle habits.

High Blood Cholesterol
A high level of cholesterol in the blood accelerates the development of atherosclerosis.  Studies show that the risk of heart attack for a person with a blood cholesterol level of 240 mg/dL or more is twice that of a person whose cholesterol is 200 mg/dL.  A diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol is a main cause of high blood cholesterol.  In some people, being overweight can also raise the level.  Exercise, as well as low-saturated-fat, low-cholesterol dietary changes, will often help control cholesterol.  Diet and exercise are important first steps.  But if you have other risk factors besides high cholesterol- and diet and exercise haven't worked- your doctor may also prescribe medication.

Low HDL Cholesterol (Good Cholesterol)
You may have heard the terms LDL and HDL in reference to cholesterol.  LDL is often called "bad cholesterol" because it's most likely to contribute to the atherosclerosis process.  HDL has been called "good cholesterol" because doctors think it tends to carry excess cholesterol back to the liver where it's removed from the body.  A low level of "good cholesterol" is also considered a risk factor.

High Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force of blood against artery walls.  A major risk factor for heart disease, blood pressure is recorded as two numbers.  The higher number-systolic pressure- should be less than 140 mmHg.  The lower number-diastolic pressure- should be under 90 mmHg.  If either number (or both) is higher for two or more blood pressure measurements, then you have high blood pressure.  High blood pressure is often the result of age, race, obesity, alcohol and a diet high in salt.  It's important to get your blood pressure checked regularly, especially as you get older.

Physical Inactivity
An inactive lifestyle contributes to higher blood cholesterol leves and obesity.  The American Heart Association recommends 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise most days of the week to decrease the risk of a heart attack.  Before beginning an exercise program, consult with your doctor.

Obesity
A person is obese when he or she is more than 30 percent overweight.  Being this heavy increases the risk of heart disease and, in some cases, has an extremely bad effect on other risk factors.  If you can't lose weight on your own, talk with your doctor, a registered dietition, or a nutritionist licensed or certified by the state.

Cigarette / Tobacco Smoke
Scientists believe smoking promotes heart disease in a variety of ways.  It speeds up the development of atherosclerosis, reduces the level of HDL cholesterol, and may also encourage platelets to clump together which can lodge in an artery.  If you smoke, QUIT.  As soon as you stop, your risk of heart disease begins to drop.

Diabetes
Diabetes is the inability of the body to produce or respond to insulin properly.  Insulin allows the body to use glucose.  Diabetes can damage the cardiovascular system by producing abnormalities in lipoproteins that may speed up atherosclerosis.  It also affects cholesterol levels.  People with diabetes can help control it by working with their doctor to change eating habits, control weight, and get regular exercise.

Stress
Many scientists have noted a relationship between heart attack and a person's stress.  A person may overheat or smoke continually from nervous tension, which can contribute to heart attack risk.  The exact effects of stress on the heart aren't fully known, and more research is needed.

Alcohol
Alcohol, in moderation, has been cited as having a protective effect against heart attack.  But too much alcohol can raise blood pressure, promote weight gain, and even produce heartbeat irregularity.  If you don't drink, don't start.  And if you do drink, do so in moderation.  You should quit drinking if you notice even one negative effect.  When you talk to your doctor, you may wish to discuss your alcohol intake.

High blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes are all risk factors that have no symptoms in the early stages.  When you get medical checkups, you can find out whether you're free of these risk factors.  If one turns up, you and your doctor can work together to control it.

Decades of research have shown that when people alter their lifestyles to reduce the risk of heart disease, they stay healthy longer- and they can actually help prevent heart attacks.  A healthy heart is up to you.  It involves you and your doctor.  And the time to begin taking steps is now.