Healthy Lifestyles

Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle 

A "risk factor" is a trait or habit within your lifestyle that increases your chance of having heart or vascular disease. There are some risk factors that you have no control over. But there are many that you do have control over. To improve your heart health, learn what your risk factors are and what you can do to further reduce your risk.


Uncontrollable Risk Factors:

Age and Sex


Your risk is increased if you are a man over the age of 45 years, if you are a woman over the age of 55 years, or if you are a woman who has passed menopause or had your ovaries removed and are not taking estrogen.



Family History


You are at a higher risk for heart disease if your father or brother had heart disease or a heart attack before the age of 55, or your mother or sister had heart disease or a heart attack before the age of 65. You cannot change history, but you can help control your risk if you avoid smoking, eat a low fat, low cholesterol diet, exercise regularly, and take medications, if needed.

Personal History

If you have already had a heart attack, stroke or another form of cardiovascular disease – such as angina, peripheral vascular disease, congestive heart failure or stenting – you are at greater risk for further cardiac problems.


Controllable Risk Factors:



Smoking

Smoking is the single most preventable cause of death. The more you smoke, the higher your risk for heart disease, cancer and stroke. Your heart disease risk drops dramatically as soon as you quit smoking. About 3 years after quitting, your risk is almost equal to a person who has never smoked. Quit Now. It’s never too late.

Blood Pressure


Blood pressure is a measure of how hard your heart has to work to circulate blood through your body. The higher your blood pressure, the higher your risk for a heart attack or stroke because the heart has to pump harder in order to push the blood through the arteries. If it’s high, follow your doctor’s advice for lowering it.

Exercise


People who are inactive are more likely to have heart attacks than those who are active. But, you don’t have to be a marathon runner to get health benefits from physical activity. In fact, moderate activities done often can reduce your risk for heart attack. People who do more vigorous activities have an even lower heart attack risk. Remember, doing something is better than doing nothing.

Cholesterol 


The higher your blood cholesterol level, the higher your risk for coronary artery disease, heart attack or stroke. High blood cholesterol can be reduced through changes in diet, exercise, and medication, if needed. Blood cholesterol levels tends to increase with age, so don’t rely on a measure that was taken more than 5 years ago. Total cholesterol levels less than 200 are desirable.

HDL (high density lipoprotein) is the “good” cholesterol in your body. HDL helps prevent fatty buildup on the inside of your arteries. Desirable HDL levels are greater than 40 (>40) for men and greater than 50 (>50) for women.

LDL (low density lipoprotein) is the “bad” cholesterol, which contributes to the fatty buildup on the inside of your arteries. Desirable LDL levels are less than 100 (<100).

Triglycerides are another fat in your blood, and like cholesterol, can lead to clogged arteries. Desirable levels are less than 150 (<150).

Overweight

Being overweight is a major risk factor for heart disease. If you weigh more than what is desirable for your height, most of your extra weight is probably excess body fat. People who are overweight due to excess body fat are more likely to have high blood pressure, diabetes, and high blood cholesterol. These factors can raise your risk for heart disease. Losing weight helps lower your future risk and overall makes your feel better and healthier.

Diabetes


Those with diabetes are at 2 to 4 times more risk for heart disease than a person without diabetes. Consistently high glucose (blood sugar) levels may be an indication of diabetes. Non-fasting levels less than 140 (<140) are desirable. Following a controlled diabetic diet and exercising may help reduce blood sugars. Sometimes medication is necessary.

Stress


Too much stress in your life, or more importantly, the inability to handle the stress in your life, can increase your risk for heart disease and stroke. Learning how to deal with stress can help lower your risk for not only heart disease, but also many other health issues.

The more risk factors you have, the higher your risk for future heart events or stroke. It’s never too late to change your lifestyle. By taking control of your risks and making some lifestyle changes, you can lower those risks and have a more heart-healthy life!

Key Information to Know... 

What should I do if I experience signs of a heart attack? 
Call 911 and ask to be transported immediately to Sacred Heart Hospital.

What are the signs of a stroke?  
Signs of a stroke include sudden face, arm, leg weakness/numbness; sudden confusion; trouble speaking or understanding; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; and/or sudden severe headache with no cause.

What should I do if I experience signs of a stroke? 
Call 911 and ask to be transported immediately to Sacred Heart Hospital.

Where can I go to learn CPR? 
Our hospital hosts CPR training courses on a regular basis. Please visit The Center for Healthy Living website to find out.