Heart Disease, also known as Coronary Artery Disease, is the single most common cause of death in men and women each year, which is more than breast and prostate cancer. Heart Disease is abnormal function in blood vessels to the heart. The blood flow to the heart is damaged because of blockages to the coronary arteries, which could eventually block blood flow or cause ruptures leading to heart attack or sudden cardiac death. Many people who have been diagnosed with heart disease may live for years without serious consequences but, have disabilities such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and irregular heart rhythms. There are several risk factors that have been proven to increase the risk of heart disease but, by controlling as many risk factors as possible, people can reduce their risk of heart disease. A risk factor is anything that can affect your chances of getting a chronic disease. There are major risk factors and contributing risk factors. The more risk factors a person has, the more likely they are to develop Coronary Artery Disease. Some risk factors are out of your control such as gender or race, family history, and age. Some risk factors can be changed through lifestyle changes such as diet, smoking, stress management, and physical activity. All of which can significantly reduce your risk of getting heart disease. There are many risk factors, major and contributing, for heart disease. Hypertension or high blood pressure caused by obesity, sodium intake, or large alcohol consumption can put you at a higher risk for heart disease. An unhealthy diet causing high cholesterol also puts you at risk. Smoking cigarettes not only increases your risk for heart disease but, also cancers, diabetes, osteoporosis and other serious diseases. Diabetes, family history, obesity, lack of exercise and diet are also factors that can increase your risk of heart disease. Up to 95% of the risks are a result of things we can change. Genetics and other factors that we were born with only account for 5-10% of the risks. It makes more sense to change our behaviors to help prevent getting heart disease. Knowing ways to control a person’s risk of getting heart disease can empower the choice to change their lifestyle. Since it has been made aware that up to 95% of the risks are from behaviors that people can modify, an individual can take preventative measures to reduce his or her risk. Controlling your weight and diet is one of the most effective measures a person can take. Making sure to eat lots of fruits and vegetables, more whole grain foods, and fish can help reduce your risk. Also reducing your red meat consumption and switching to low-fat or non-fat dairy products can help. If you’re a cigarette smoker, stop! Smoking cigarettes increases heart rate, blood pressure, and forces the heart to work harder. Quitting smoking can significantly decrease your risk for heart disease, as well as other diseases. Exercise and daily physical activity helps your health overall. Physical activity can help treat high blood pressure and obesity, which are leading factors in health disease. Reducing your alcohol intake to 2 drinks per day for men and 1 ½ drinks for women can actually improve your health. With all the information and early screening tests available today, people can take action to reduce their chances of getting heart disease and other chronic diseases.

Reference Page

Your Results for Heart Disease Risk . (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://wpomain.convergencehealth.com/Default.aspx?tabid=2811#asmres

Donatelle, R. J. (2011). Health. The Basics, Green Edition (9th ed.). Retrieved from The

University of Phoenix eBook Collection Database.