I hope you take this news to heart.
Despite what the headlines might lead you to believe, the number one cause of death is not cancer, injury or diabetes, but heart disease. In the United States alone, someone dies from cardiovascular disease every 33 seconds. according to The death toll in 2021 reached 695,000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Heart disease It’s an umbrella term that includes a number of serious conditions, including heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure. according to To the National Institutes of Health.
You’ve probably already heard about the things you can do to reduce your risk: watch what you eat, exercise more, manage stress, etc. But taking these steps is easier said than done, and they can actually increase your risk of heart disease over time, especially as life gets busy.
So we Dr. Kinjan ParikhCardiologist NYU Langone Heart, You’ll learn the best life hacks for maintaining a healthy heart, how to identify risk factors, prevention methods, and when to seek treatment.
What is the biggest risk factor for heart disease?
Everyone can have risk factors. Some can be controlled, some can’t. Family history, age, sex, and ethnicity are things you can’t control and can affect your risk of heart disease. The main risk factors you can control include cholesterol levels, blood pressure It also reduces blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.
How do genetics affect heart health and risk factors for heart disease?
Heart disease is heavily influenced by genetics. While we cannot escape the genes we inherit, we can choose how we live our lives: what we eat, when we exercise, when we see our doctor, and so on. And those lifestyle choices can be life-changing. Some people have genetic predispositions to high blood pressure and cholesterol. So, of course, optimizing a certain lifestyle can often help us reach our goals and prevent serious heart attacks.
Can anything be done to mitigate the risk?
The basis of heart disease prevention is a healthy lifestyle, including diet and exercise. A Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables and healthy fats is highly recommended. Reducing sodium intake and minimizing sugar and processed foods, especially for blood pressure control, are also important dietary steps. Regular exercise, ideally 30-45 minutes at moderate intensity 3-4 times a week, is also essential. If lifestyle changes alone are not enough, medications such as blood pressure lowering agents or statins may be needed to achieve optimal levels.
What is the relationship between cholesterol and heart disease? Can good cholesterol (HDL) counteract the effects of bad cholesterol (LDL)?
There is a close relationship between cardiovascular disease and cholesterol levels. Lipid testing A test that shows the levels of “bad” cholesterol called LDL, “good” cholesterol called HDL, and triglycerides in your blood to assess your risk of developing heart disease. High LDL levels lead to plaque buildup and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. Measuring the cholesterol levels in your blood gives you a combination of what your body produces and what you ingest. High HDL levels can remove LDL from your arteries and reduce your risk, but they do not completely eliminate the risks associated with high LDL levels. You need to manage both levels to maintain a healthy heart.
What are the signs that something may be wrong with my heart?
Typical symptoms include chest pain or pressure, which may also manifest as stomach discomfort. A notable sign is the inability to perform normal physical activities due to shortness of breath or chest pain. Regular exercise can serve as an early warning system for potential heart problems if symptoms change. There is a common misconception that heart disease primarily affects older men, but it can happen to anyone, regardless of age or gender. Women are more likely to experience atypical symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, and sweating.
What should you ask your doctor about your risk for heart disease?
Heart health should be evaluated during an annual physical exam. This includes blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, and possibly an electrocardiogram. People with high risk factors should regularly visit a cardiologist for more specialized care. In summary, you need to know your important health numbers, including blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar levels, to manage your diabetes. Understanding these numbers, their targets, and how to achieve them through lifestyle changes and medications is essential to proactively managing your heart health and significantly reducing your risk of heart disease.
Kinjan Parikh, MD, is a cardiologist at New York University Langone Heart Hospital. Faculty of Medicine, Leon H. Charney Department of Cardiology He received his PhD from NYU Grossman School of Medicine. His practice offers a wide range of services, from identifying risk factors for heart disease to treating advanced heart disease. According to US News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals,” NYU Langone is ranked among the top five hospitals in the nation for cardiology and cardiac surgery. Cardiologist or Cardiac surgeon.
