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Lakewood, NJ ---- Heart disease and stroke are two of the world's largest killers, claiming 17.5 million lives every year. According to the World Health Organization, heart disease and stroke cause as many deaths as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and diabetes – plus all forms of cancer and chronic respiratory disease – combined.
The good news is that heart disease is largely preventable and that by incorporating a heart-healthy lifestyle you can improve your heart health and dramatically reduce your risk of heart disease.
Sunday, September 28, 2008 is World Heart Day; it is a good time to evaluate your heart health and rededicate yourself to heart-healthy living. This year’s theme encourages people to “Know Your Risk!" and to find out what you can do to reduce it.
“There are several risk factors that contribute to whether or not you develop heart disease in your lifetime,” explains Samir Jain, M.D.,F.A.C.C., a cardiologist on staff at Kimball Medical Center. “While some of these risk factors are beyond our control, such as gender, family history and age,” he explains. “There are modifiable risk factors – risk factors that can be reduced or eliminated by adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle.”
Men, according to Dr. Jain, have a higher risk of developing heart disease than women, although, this risk evens out in post-menopausal women to a great extent. Women, in general, have higher mortality rates from heart attacks than men. Additionally, people with a family history of heart disease are at a greater risk, and the risk of developing heart disease increases as we age.
The most significant, and modifiable, risk factor for heart disease and stroke is high blood pressure. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, currently affects about 65 million Americans – nearly one in every three adults. It is often called ‘the silent killer,’ because it typically lacks symptoms and can go undetected for years, dramatically increasing the risk for heart attack and stroke, and causing major organ damage as well as a host of other health problems.
“The only way to know if you’re at risk is to have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis,” says Dr Jain. Normal blood pressure readings are generally around 120/80. Because blood pressure can fluctuate, one elevated reading is usually not cause for alarm, according to the doctor. “If your blood pressure consistently measures 140/90 or higher, or 130/80 or higher if you have diabetes or chronic kidney disease, you may be diagnosed with hypertension,” he adds.
Measurements that fall above normal but below the 140/90 are considered prehypertensive – a red flag that indicates the likelihood of developing hypertension in the future. Relatively easy to detect, high blood pressure is usually controllable with lifestyle changes and sometimes with medication.
“By having your blood pressure checked, finding out your level of risk, and if necessary making lifestyle changes or going on medication to control your blood pressure, you’re taking significant steps towards reducing your overall risk for heart disease and stroke,” adds Dr. Jain.
In addition to high blood pressure, other modifiable risk factors for heart disease include high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity and diabetes. In order to reduce these risk factors for heart disease, Dr. Jain recommends the following heart healthy tips:
- Know your cholesterol level. Have your cholesterol checked annually to determine what your numbers are. If your cholesterol is 200 or above, consider adopting a low-fat diet and increasing your activity level to help lower your overall cholesterol. The most important of the cholesterol numbers to watch for is the LDL or the “bad cholesterol.” The desired optimum level for LDL differs for people depending on the number of risk factors they have. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medications to help further reduce your numbers.
- If you smoke, quit. According to the American Heart Association, smokers may be up to four times more likely to develop heart disease compared to nonsmokers.
- Watch your weight. Being overweight significantly increases your odds of developing heart disease. In fact, the heavier you are, the higher your risk. Losing five to ten percent of your body weight can help reduce your risk for heart disease.
- Choose heart-healthy foods. Your diet has a major impact on your risk for developing heart disease. Reduce greasy, fried and fatty foods, and limit red meat in your diet. Increase fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats such as poultry and seafood, and add foods that are high in fiber.
- Increase physical activity. Exercise helps make your heart stronger, more efficient and improves circulation throughout the body. It also helps control other risk factors including obesity, diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. Strive for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week and strength training twice weekly. Choose activities you’ll enjoy and be more likely to stick with. Check with your doctor before starting an exercise program.
- Keep blood sugar under control. If you have diabetes, chronic high blood sugar can narrow your arteries and increase your risk for heart disease. People with diabetes also tend to have lower levels of "good" HDL cholesterol and increased levels of triglycerides (blood fats), adding to your risk for heart disease.
“Heart disease and stroke are a major health threat for millions of people worldwide,” says Dr. Jain. “It’s important, however, to recognize that in many cases we have the ability to reduce our risk factors and prevent heart disease. It is never too early and never too late to start taking care of our hearts. Becoming aware of our risk factors and making some healthy lifestyle changes today can have a huge impact on our heart health in the future,” he adds.
Commemorate World Heart Day this year by taking the time to become heart-healthy. Talk to your doctor about your risk factors for heart disease and stroke, and find out what you can do to improve your health. If you haven’t had your blood pressure, cholesterol or glucose levels checked recently, call and schedule an appointment today.
To contact Dr. Samir Jain or to find another cardiologist affiliated with Kimball Medical Center, please call 1-888-SBHS-123
(888-724-7123).
Date: September 25, 2008
CONTACT: Carrie Cristello
Director, Public Relations
732-923-6552
ccristello@sbhcs.com
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