What other organ impacts as many systems in your body as your heart? Your heart circulates blood containing everything from nutrients to immune system elements throughout every corner of your body. That’s why maintaining strong heart health is so essential for your ongoing physical well-being.
This February, for American Heart Month, check in on your own heart health and raise your awareness of the risk factors for heart disease. When you know the risks, you can take steps to protect your heart health for years to come.
If you have questions or concerns about developing heart disease, Michele Reed, DO, FAAFP, and the rest of the expert care team at MS Family Medicine Health Care PC are here to help. At our offices in Garden City, Long Island, and Rosedale, Queens, we provide preventative and wellness care for diseases such as hypertension and high cholesterol.
Here’s how to tell if you’re at risk for heart disease.
Some of the risk factors for heart disease relate to your lifestyle choices and can be controlled or changed to keep your heart health strong. If you want to prevent heart disease, pay increased attention to:
Being overweight makes your heart work harder.
Statistics show that having overall high levels of cholesterol, or an imbalance of HDL and LDL cholesterol, increases your risk of heart disease.
Uncontrolled blood glucose levels can put added strain on your blood vessels and organs, making you more vulnerable to heart disease. This is especially true if you have diabetes.
Make sure to get your heart rate elevated for about 30 minutes each day to keep your heart healthy.
When blood pressure stays high, it can result in serious health problems. A healthy blood pressure is below 120/80 mm HG.
Nicotine has negative impacts on the condition of your heart and arteries.
We can advise you on the best ways to handle these potential risks and monitor you for any troubling changes. With the right care and treatment, you can lower your risk of heart disease.
Other risk factors for heart disease aren’t necessarily within your control. These uncontrollable risk factors are part of why heart disease is such a significant cause of mortality in the United States. Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease in the US, accounting for over half of all total yearly deaths.
Men have a higher risk of heart disease than premenopausal women. After menopause, women’s risk of heart disease increases. For both men and women, getting older increases the risk of developing heart disease.
Heart disease can run in families. If you have family members who have suffered from heart attacks or other heart problems, you have an increased chance of developing heart disease yourself due to genetic factors.
It’s important to note that just having risk factors for heart disease doesn’t necessarily mean that you will have heart problems. However, when you’re aware of your risks you can make heart-smart choices, including getting needed preventive screenings.
Our health care professionals can help accurately assess your heart disease risks and advise you on the steps you can take to protect your heart health.
Book your initial consultation at our New York City offices over the phone, or schedule online today.
