Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death in the United States. They are also the leading cause of disability.
One in four Americans will die from CVD, which include heart attacks, stroke, congestive heart failure, heart rhythm disorders, sudden cardiac death, coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease and vascular diseases.
Many of these deaths and disabilities could have been avoided. The cardiologists with Beaufort Memorial Heart Specialists, recommend five simple things you can do to dramatically reduce your risk of CVD:
1. Know your family history.
A strong family history of CVD, especially at a young age (earlier than age 65), is a major warning sign that you are at high risk for CVD. Those who fail to understand the mistakes of history are prone to repeat them.
2. Know your risk factors.
Do you have diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, again a family history? Do you smoke? Do you have a chronic inflammatory condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or a whole host of other autoimmune diseases?
If so, you are at high risk for CVD.
For smokers, within a year of quitting smoking, you will reduce your risk of CVD by 50 percent. Plus, think of all the money you will save by not buying all those cigarettes.
3. Know the symptoms.
These include:
- Chest pain or discomfort, especially with activity
- Shortness of breath
- Unexplained fatigue
- Arm pain with exertion
- Back pain with exertion
- Jaw pain
- As well as dizziness, palpitations, and leg pain with walking
All too frequently people feel they are "slowing down" just because they are getting older. That might very well be the case, but often it also is a manifestation or symptom of CVD.
So, if you have a family history other risk factors, or have any of the above symptoms, see your primary care physician as soon as possible to address these issues.
4. Exercise on a regular basis.
The importance of this point cannot be over-emphasized. Whether you have risk factors or not, regular exercise will dramatically reduce your risk of hypertension, diabetes and CVD. Thirty minutes, three to four times a week, is all it takes.
5. Eat a healthy diet.
This might sound like a broken record, but again, the importance of this cannot be over-emphasized. Obesity is a major epidemic in this country.
The Mediterranean diet is great for people with hypertension, diabetes, CVD, and those who want to lose weight and keep the weight off.
If you take these five simple steps, you are on your way to a much healthier lifestyle and a dramatic reduction in your risk of developing CVD.
Help with Prevention and Early Detection
Your primary care physician can help you assess and work to minimize your risks for cardiovascular disease. If you don't have a primary care provider, find one in our online directory.
Beaufort Memorial offers two screenings that can be particularly helpful with assessing your risk for cardiovascular disease:
- Vascular Screening – This $60 screening package determines you risk for having a stroke or developing peripheral vascular disease or peripheral artery disease.
- Coronary Artery Screening – A non-invasive CT scan shows your risk for heart attack or heart disease in the next three-to-five years.