February is American Heart Month: Understanding Heart Disease Risk Factors & Prevention
- Posted on: Jan 22 2025
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S., but shockingly, 51% of people surveyed about the top causes of death do not know this very important fact. Sharing the importance of preventive heart care with our communities can potentially lead to fewer heart-related deaths and empower our loved ones to make healthier choices.
February is American Heart Month. Here’s a closer look at the risk factors implicated in heart disease and the steps you can take to avoid this serious condition.
Risk Factors of Heart Disease
Heart disease may be genetic to a degree, but lifestyle plays a major role in your risk for developing this condition regardless of whether or not it runs in your family. Being aware of heart disease risk factors may clue you into the types of lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk.
Risk factors for heart disease include:
- Lack of exercise. Exercise helps strengthen the heart and supports good blood flow and circulation.
- Poor nutrition. A diet high in cholesterol, trans fat, and saturated fats can raise your risk, while whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, and fish can lower your risk.
- Too much salt. A diet excessively high in salt and sodium can lead to heart problems.
- High alcohol use. Having more than one or two drinks a day can drive inflammation and increase blood pressure and triglycerides levels.
- Tobacco use. Smoking can damage the heart and blood vessels, and it can increase blood pressure to raise the risk for heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerosis.
- Obesity. Excess weight is linked to a higher risk for heart disease.
Tips for Preventive Heart Care
Knowing the risk factors of heart disease can make it that much easier to identify behaviors you can change or modify to stay healthy for years to come. In honor of American Heart Month, consider these steps for a heart-healthy lifestyle:
- Move a bit more. Look for small ways to add more activity to your day. For example, take a short stroll around your neighborhood after dinner or take the stairs instead of an escalator.
- Make a few healthy changes to your diet. For example, you could eat fewer sweets during the week and experiment with cooking at home.
- Stop using table salt. Many processed foods already have salt added, while some whole foods—such as tomatoes—are already naturally high in sodium.
- Limit alcohol and tobacco use. These substances are linked to numerous health problems, even when used in moderation.
- Lose excess weight. Any excess weight you lose can reduce your risk for heart disease and minimize symptoms of many other conditions, including diabetes.
Consider making a few small positive changes here and there instead of overhauling your entire lifestyle at once, which is a more realistic way to meet your health goals in the long term. A cardiologist can also provide recommendations on lifestyle changes you can make to improve your heart health.
Hunterdon Cardiovascular Associates is committed to providing the highest quality care in a patient-centered environment. Our offices are conveniently located in Flemington, Clinton, and Bridgewater. We also have subspecialty offices available to ensure our patients receive the proper care for their condition.
Contact us today at (908) 788-1710 to learn more about managing heart disease. We can evaluate your condition and discuss the next best steps.
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