|
While there are many different categories of heart disease,
prevention of all or any of these problems is essentially
the same. Being aware of your family history, and sharing
it with your physician is always a good place to begin.
Your doctor can help you establish a healthy diet -- high
in fiber, low in salt and fat -- along with a regular
exercise program. Reducing your alcohol intake is also
suggested. Smoking places an added burden on your heart,
so, if you smoke, quit as soon as possible. Once
you've been diagnosed with heart disease, seeing your
doctor regularly is vital. Depending on your individual
health needs, a variety of diagnostic tests may be recommended.
These include EKGs and blood tests (ex. cholesterol
screening). Your doctor may also recommend you take
aspirin or other medication - but check with your physician
first before taking any medication.
Cholesterol
Much has been written about cholesterol levels but
the facts are simple: good heart healthy practice includes
reducing overall levels and low-density lipoproteins
(LDL) and increasing high-density lipoproteins (HDL).
Here's why: HDL is the beneficial type of cholesterol
that removes harmful LDL particles from your arteries
before they can block blood flow. Once the blood flow
is restricted, your heart has to work harder to pump
blood, and in some cases may not be able to get the
blood to where it needs to go. So knowing your cholesterol
levels is not enough. You should pay attention to your
LDL vs. your HDL levels to have an accurate reading
on how cholesterol can affect your heart.
Current guidelines say 35 milligrams per deciliter
of blood (mg/dl) is normal, but most doctors hope for
HDL counts that are at least 70.
What can you do to increase your HDL and lower your
LDL? Quit smoking, eat foods rich in monounsaturated
fats like peanut butter, exercise regularly and monitor
your fat intake.
An Aspirin a Day ...
According to guidelines from the FDA, taking one aspirin
a day can, in some cases, -reduce the risk of death
in patients with suspected acute heart attacks (myocardial
infarctions)
- prevent recurrent heart attacks
- reduce the risk of heart attacks or sudden death
in patients with unstable and chronic stable angina
pectoris (chest pain).
However, patients should check with their doctors before
taking any medication. Some recent studies have also
shown that aspirin may interact negatively with other
over the counter medications. Furthermore, people with
allergies to aspirin or other salicylates, asthma, uncontrolled
high blood pressure, severe liver or kidney disease
and bleeding disorders should not take aspirin as it
may worsen these conditions.
Diabetes Management
The prevalence of heart disease and stroke is two to
four times greater in
adults with diabetes than those without diabetes, according
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s
important that you speak to your physician if you have
diabetes or have a history of diabetes in your family.
Management of the disease is crucial, and your physician
may choose to put you on medication or to monitor your
heart health more closely.
|
Your
Heart & Heart Disease
Printer
Friendly Page
