Heart disease is the number one killer in the Untied States.
It claims 17.3 million lives globally each year.
Our genetic code plays a part in our risk for developing cardiovascular disease; however,
our lifestyle is the most important puzzle piece when it comes to heart disease prevention.
It is estimated that 80% of heart disease is preventable.
It's important to know the risk factors, so you can protects your heart.
Here are some heart disease risk factors that can be controlled through lifestyle.
Number 1: high blood pressure.
High blood pressure indicates that your heart is having to work harder than it should to
pump blood throughout your body.
This could potentially indicate a build up of plaque within your arteries.
Number 2: high LDL cholesterol also known as "bad" cholesterol.
This form of cholesterol can form plaque or fatty deposits on artery walls.
This can increase your blood pressure and ultimately cause a heart attack or stroke.
Number 3: Diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is genetic.
However, type 2 diabetes develops over a lifetime, mostly due to poor habits.
Diabetes increases your risk for high blood pressure, narrowing of arteries, coronary
artery disease, and stroke.
Number 4: being over weight or obese.
Obesity has been proven to cause heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Bringing body weight into a healthy range can help mitigate disease complications.
Number 5: Smoking.
Smoking contributes to a large number of heart disease risk factors including: plaque build
up in arteries, increased risk of forming blood clots, reduced blood oxygenation, and
increases in blood pressure.
All of these factors result in your heart having to work harder to pump blood and oxygenate
your bodily tissues and organs.
Heart diseases is life threatening and it does not discriminate against age, gender,
or race.
The power is in your hands to take care of your heart and keep it protected for years
to come.