Heart Attack Risk Factors
To reduce your risk, you need to be aware of heart attack risk factors. Some can't be controlled: family history, increasing age, ethnicity, and being male. But other risk factors can be prevented or controlled.
These include:
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure (140/90 or higher. Optimal is less than 120/80.)
- Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
- Not being physically active
- Being overweight or obese
Remember, just because you have risk factors, heart attack doesn't have to happen. Pay special attention to risk factors that you can control.
Take Action Againist Heart Attack
The following simple actions can help reduce your risk:
- Get your blood pressure checked. If it's 140/90 or higher, control it. If you have diabetes, your goal is to stay below 130/80.
- Get your cholesterol checked. Goals are: Total Cholesterol under 200, LDL under 100 and HDL over 40 for men - over 50 for women.
- Eat healthy. Cut back on foods high in saturated fat and sodium (salt) to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Ask your healthcare provider about how to start eating a healthy diet.
- If you smoke, stop! Call the Maine Tobacco HelpLine for assistance: 1-800-207-1230.
- Start physical activity. Try to build up to 30 minutes most or all days of the week.
- Visit your doctor regularly. Ask about medications that can help reduce your
heart attack risk, and be sure to take them as prescribed.
Definition
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