Lower your cholesterol
Many people have high cholesterol levels and don’t even know it. High cholesterol levels can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Get your blood tested to determine your cholesterol levels, in particularly your LDL or “bad” cholesterol levels. If you need to lower your LDL, work closely with your doctor to create a diet plan that is low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol as well as an exercise program that will help you maintain a healthy weight.
Monitor your blood pressure
High blood pressure (or hypertension) makes your heart work harder than normal, putting your heart and arteries at risk for injury. High blood pressure raises the risk of having a heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, eye damage, heart failure and atherosclerosis (fatty buildups in the arteries). Further, your risk of high blood pressure raises during pregnancy, especially in the last trimester, which can put you and your baby in danger. Regular exercise, stress management and working with your physician can help decrease your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease.
Get regular check ups
With obesity and diabetes becoming an increasing problem in the United States, particularly in children and adolescents, it is essential to get regular medical check ups to diagnose the disease as well as successfully manage it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, compared to adults without diabetes, adults with diabetes have from two to four times higher death rates from heart disease. Your risk increases even more if you have high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Consider alternative birth control
Birth control pills can raise your blood pressure, putting you at a higher risk for heart disease. Your risk is even higher if you take birth control pills and smoke, have high cholesterol, are overweigh or have diabetes. Experts recommend that you not even take oral contraceptives if you have a history of coronary artery disease or blood clotting disorders. There are many effective alternatives birth control pills – talk with your doctor about your risks and changing to a birth control option that doesn’t increase our risk of heart disease.
Get regular medical checkups
A key in prevention of heart disease is regular visits to your physician. Your doctor is instrumental in determining your risk factors – high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart irregularities and other health conditions that can lead to heart attack or stroke. Be sure to schedule a yearly check up and don’t hesitate to make an appointment to address any questions or concerns you have about your heart-health or your health in general.