The Major Risk Factors of Heart Disease

You should always keep in mind that whatever actions you do today can either help to prevent, delay or minimize the effect of heart disease or worsen it. The key is to control risk factors. Granted that you cannot control every risk factor for heart disease such as family history but you can definitely do something about your behavior. Age and gender also influence your risk of heart disease.

Major Risk Factors of Heart Disease

Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol is a type of a lipid, a soft, fatlike substance that serves as a source of fuel. Excessive cholesterol can cause buildup of atherosclerotic plaque. Accumulation of plaque in arteries can block blood flow and lead to a heart attack. LDL cholesterol, the so-called "bad" cholesterol, is transported to sites throughout the body, where it's used to repair cell membranes or to make hormones. LDL cholesterol can accumulate in the walls of your arteries. HDL cholesterol, the so-called "good" cholesterol, transports cholesterol to the liver, where it's altered and removed from the body.

Blood Pressure

Normal blood pressure level is defined as less than 130 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) for systolic blood pressure and less than 85 mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure. The higher the blood pressure, the more likely it is to take a toll on the heart and on the brain. Blood pressure should be checked whether or not your levels are high. For normal, check once every two years. For high-normal, check once a year. If extremely high, you should get immediate care. Then get multiple measurements to know if a high level is sustained over time.

Diabetes

Another risk factor for heart disease is diabetes, a chronic disease of insulin deficiency or resistance. Type 2 diabetes, the most common type, is associated with obesity and may be prevented by maintaining ideal body weight through exercise and balanced nutrition.

Tips For Controlling Risk of Heart Disease

Stop Smoking

The effect of smoking on your lungs can cause almost every other medical condition.

Get Active

Routine physical activity is highly recommended and helpful in controlling obesity. Try to perform 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. Fast walking is one of the best way to prevent heart disease. If you can lose even a small amount of weight, five pounds for example, it may have a positive effect on lipid levels and blood pressure preventing heart disease.

Limit Alcohol Consumption

Limit daily alcohol intake to three ounces or fewer to prevent heart disease. People who drink large amounts of alcohol (six to eight ounces a day) tend to have higher blood pressure.

Watch What You Eat

Eat five helpings of fruits and vegetables daily to prevent heart disease.

Maintain adequate dietary potassium, calcium and magnesium intake.

Reduce saturated fats and cholesterol to stay away from heart disease.

------------------------

Mike Spencer has been helping people protect their health for many years. To find out how you can help protect your heart and prevent heart disease visit Mikes site at: http://www.heart-healthy-diet.com

---

The Aromatherapy Home Medicine Chest ? Part I: The Essential Oils

Here we will have a brief look at ten essential... Read More

Green Bamboo: Strength in Flexibility

Those who have watched the movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"... Read More

Purchasing Essential Oil

Tips on Purchasing Essential OilsIt is important to purchase your... Read More

How To Use Cascara Sagrada as a Constipation Remedy

Cascara Sagrada comes from the bark of the buckthorn tree.... Read More

Strengthen the Immune System Naturally

"Among the most exciting applications of herbal medicine lie in... Read More

What Does The Label Vegan Mean in Bedding Products?

Vegan, or vegetarian, organic fills and batting, are natural materials... Read More

1st Textbook on Sleep Psychiatry

An informative textbook confirming a newly established field: Sleep PsychiatryBook... Read More

Essential Oils Blends and Uses

Better Living With Essential OilsPractical formulas you can use in... Read More

Kokoro no Kaze: Does Your Soul Have a Cold?

Feeling sad? Have you lost interest in things you used... Read More

Low Back Pain - Ayurvedic Management

Low back pain is one of the most common pain... Read More

That Popeye Knew a Thing or Two!

For a few weeks the lumps in my throat were... Read More

Sweet Sustenance

"The difference between sugar addiciton and narcotic addiction is largely... Read More

Is Alternative Medicine Proven to Work?

The most common objection to alternative medicine from conventional physicians... Read More

Alternative Medicine & Herbal Preparations

Alternative medicine is gaining more attention every day. The idea... Read More

Magnetic Energy and DNA

Magnetic energy has been in use for reducing pain and... Read More

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Infertility

Although health and healing are the common goals of Traditional... Read More

Alternative Health Care is Under Attack by a Hidden Standard - The Unfortunate Case of Dr. Shortt

A recent case in the news highlights an alarming trend... Read More

Whipped Shea Butter & Its Many Uses

Shea butter, also referred to as karite, which means "life"... Read More

Homeopathy: A Natural Health 101 Article

What It IsIn Homeopathy, extremely dilute preparations are given to... Read More

The Honeybush Miracle

Perhaps a little eclipsed by the world-wide success of Rooibos,... Read More

Why Most People Dont Really Want to Heal (Part 2)

The story so far...At a metaphysical lecture facilitated by Guy... Read More

The Mechanics & Effects of Smoking

So exactly what does happen when you smoke?Every puff on... Read More

Plastic Acupuncture?

Plastic Acupuncture, abbreviated as (P.Ac) is not really a new... Read More

What AreThe Symptoms Of A Sinus Headache?

Problems with sinuses, give rise to headaches, so you have... Read More

Basic Reiki

This is a very simplified primer on basic Reiki. It's... Read More

Heart Disease and Homocysteine

Are you aware that one of the most important indicators... Read More

The Basics of Hypnosis

You've seen the stage acts where a hypnotist selects someone... Read More

All About Bad Breath, its Symptoms & Prevention

Bad breath (or halitosis medical term root from Latin) can... Read More

Stopping Colds in Their Tracks

We all know the nasty sensation of coming down with... Read More

Hypnosis - What Exactly is it?

Hypnosis is probably not what you think it is. Hypnosis... Read More

The Science Of Mind Over Matter

We possess an incredible power. It's the power of mind... Read More

Acupuncturists

An ancient Chinese method of pain relief and disease treatment;... Read More

How Visualization Is Different from What You May Have Tried for Pain Relief

You've probably tried everything you can think of to ease... Read More