 |
|
|
  |
|
| |
|
 |
|
| |
|
| Color-enhanced scanning electron micrograph of thrombi occluding an artery mag.1600x |
|
| |
 |
|
Risk Factors for Heart Disease and Heart Attack
Risk Factors You Can Change (with the help of your doctor)
The best way to prevent a heart attack is to reduce the modifiable heart disease risk factors.
• Tobacco Use.1
• High blood cholesterol.1
• High blood pressure.1
• Overweight and Obesity.1
• Physical Activity.1
• Diabetes Mellitus.1
|
Tobacco Use.1 Smoking is the biggest risk factor for sudden cardiac arrest and the single most preventable cause of death in the United States. If you smoke, you are more than 2-4 times as likely to suffer a heart attack than a nonsmoker. Smokers who have a heart attack are more likely to die and die suddenly (within an hour) than are nonsmokers.
The nicotine and carbon monoxide in tobacco smoke reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood. These elements also damage blood vessel walls, which causes plaque to build up. Tobacco smoke may also trigger blood clots to form. Smoking also promotes heart disease by reducing HDL (also known as “good”) cholesterol and increases LDL bad cholesterol.
Smoking may disturb the heart rhythm in people who have chest pain or who have had a heart attack. This can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. Death follows within minutes after symptoms appear.
Cigarette smoking is the single biggest risk factor for peripheral vascular disease, which makes the person more likely to develop gangrene and require leg amputation. In fact, this narrowing of blood vessels that carry blood to the arms and legs is almost exclusive to smokers.
People who smoke cigars or pipes seem to have a higher risk of death from coronary heart disease and possibly stroke, but their risk isn’t as great as that of cigarette smokers. This may be because they’re less likely to inhale the smoke. As importantly, constant exposure to other people’s smoke raises the risk of heart disease and stroke, even for nonsmokers.
Because of this compelling information, people who don’t smoke are strongly advised not to start. People who smoke are encouraged to stop. There are many effective programs and medications available to help smokers quit. Once a person stops smoking, the risk of heart disease starts to drop. Over time, the risk will be about the same as if the person never started smoking.
To find out more about the blood tests that may help identify if you are at risk for heart disease and heart attack, click here.
Risk Factors You Can’t Change
Additional Risk Factors That Can Affect The Risk For Heart Disease
Reference |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
