Risk Factors

50-80% of heart disease is preventable.

The best way to prevent heart disease is by knowing and controlling your risk factors

The risk factors you can control are..

high blood pressure

high blood cholesterol

diabetes (type II)

being overweight

excessive alcohol consumption

physical inactivity

smoking

stress

-to find out how you can prevent these risk factors, or reverse or reduce the impact of these risk factors

Talk to you Doctor

-high blood pressure is the #1 cause of stroke - and you can't feel your blood pressure - have a check up with the doctor, ask what your blood pressure is, where it should be (tpyically around 120/80) and how to get it there

-things like reducing sodium intake, reducing stress by taking holidays, working less hours, practicing deep breathing, or listening to relaxing music can help

Talk to your doctor about options to help you quit smoking, and ways to begin being more physically active and what type of activity is right for you.

Remember- when it comes to physical activity - its okay to start slow.

Try to do 10 minutes of activity a couple times a day - like walking the stairs during commercial breaks, taking a walk on your lunch break, jumping jacks and jogging on the spot while waiting for something to cook...

risk factors that you cannot control include

age

sex

ethnicity

family history

and history of a stroke

-even though you cannot change these risk factors, you and your doctor should be aware of which ones affect you

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