Preventing Heart Disease: What Actually Changes Your Risk

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., with nearly 700,000 lives lost annually. While this is a staggering number, there are ways to reduce the risk and prevent the onset of heart disease while leading a healthy, fulfilling life.

Keep reading to learn more about heart disease, including risk factors, preventive lifestyle changes, whether it’s reversible and answers to commonly asked questions.

Understanding Heart Disease Risk Factors

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the leading risk factors for heart disease are preventable. These include:

• High LDL cholesterol
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Poor nutrition
• Smoking
• Type 2 diabetes

While there are other risk factors for heart disease that you can’t control, including your age, family history and gender, the most common risk factors are caused by lifestyle habits. Understanding these risks is the first step toward preventing heart disease. Then it’s up to you and your doctor to establish a preventive care plan to keep your heart beating strong. Let’s look at several ways you can protect your heart.

Eating Your Way to Better Heart Health

Have you ever noticed that when you’re consistently eating highly processed and sugary foods, you tend to feel more lethargic and less motivated? That’s because the foods you eat are what fuel your body. And just like a car, the better the gasoline you use, the better it performs.

The CDC lists several dietary changes you can make to lower your risk of high blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, all of which directly correlate to developing heart disease:

• Blood pressure: Limiting salt in your diet can help lower your blood pressure.
• Blood sugar: Limiting sugar in your diet can lower your blood sugar levels, helping prevent or control diabetes.
• Cholesterol: Eating foods high in fiber and low in saturated and trans fats and cholesterol can help prevent elevated levels.

Once you determine which numbers are elevated, you can talk with your primary care physician about scheduling your blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol screenings so you know which foods to limit.

Move Your Body

Physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your heart health. In fact, regular activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. That alone addresses nearly half of the preventable risk factors for heart disease. People who are overweight or obese have a higher risk of developing heart disease because excess weight strains the heart and blood vessels, highlighting the importance of regular physical activity.

According to the American Heart Association, it’s recommended that you get at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity every week to maintain overall heart health. Common examples include brisk walking, bicycling and muscle-strengthening activities. We know that many people lead busy lives, so getting 150 minutes of exercise per week can feel like a tall order. But the reality is that’s about 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week, which feels much more manageable for many people.

What if You Already Have Diabetes or Elevated Levels?

If you already have diabetes or elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels, that doesn’t mean preventing heart disease is out of the picture. Our care teams can work with you to develop personalized treatment plans to help you reclaim your health and protect your future.

For high cholesterol, certain medications and lifestyle changes can help reduce your risk of heart disease. Maintaining a healthy diet, especially one low in dietary sodium, can help you manage your blood pressure. If you have diabetes, it’s important to monitor your blood sugar levels carefully. Your doctor may recommend lifestyle modifications to help keep them under control.

Can Heart Disease Be Reversed?

There’s currently a lack of evidence that heart disease can be reversed. However, medications and lifestyle changes can help reduce your risk of developing heart disease. For those who already have it, medication and lifestyle changes can slow the progression of the disease and may help prevent and treat underlying conditions that cause it.

Putting Our Hearts Into Caring for Yours

When it comes to your heart health, prevention is the best medicine. Whether you’re looking for ways to protect your heart health or need expert treatment, find a cardiologist near you. Learn more about our heart and vascular care services and how we can help protect everything your heart holds.