Cardio Risk Factors to Watch for

Ten Warning Signs of Cardiovascular Disease to Heed

Feb 16, 2009 Sue Cartledge

Heart disease is the greatest cause of death and disability for people over 45. Lifestyle factors play a big role and simple changes in diet and exercise can save lives.

That’s the message from Australia’s CSIRO Preventative Health Flagship which has launched a 12 week Healthy Heart Program and book.

Coronary heart disease caused 445,687 American deaths in 2005 and is the single leading cause of death in America today, according to the American Heart Association,

This year an estimated 1.26 million Americans will have a new or recurrent coronary attack .Nearly 17,000 people will have a history of heart attack, angina pectoris or both. This is about 8,700,000 males and 8,100,000 females.

In Australia, with a total population of only 21 million, cardiovascular (CV) disease kills about one person every 10 minutes, and prevents 1.4 million people from living a full life because of disability caused by the disease.

Change Your Lifestyle, Lower Your CV Risks

Dr Peter Clifton, co-author of the CSIRO Healthy Heart Program and book says “In most cases these tragedies can be prevented simply by modifying eating habits and lifestyle choices.”

Lifestyle factors play a large role in people’s risk of developing CV problems. However, even if you have a family history of heart disease or stroke, he says it is possible to lower the risks by making lifestyle changes to diet and exercise.

The program is aimed at people over the age of 45, as that is when people tend to be a bit plumper and become a bit more sedentary. It is also the start of the time when CV problems begin to show up, as increased weight, sleep problems, or high cholesterol.

However, Dr Clifton stresses that any adult, no matter how old or young, should consider adopting a healthier lifestyle. The program, developed in Australia, but suitable for anyone to use, provides a framework for changing to a healthier way of living, he says.

“Many of us know we could be a lot healthier but want to be motivated to do something about it. The program can get you excited about giving yourself a better chance to be healthy and stay healthy over the long-haul.”

Ten Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease

These ten risk factors should be seen as warning signs that you’re heading for cardiovascular trouble. The first cannot be avoided, but should remind you to be aware of the others and take lifestyle steps to minimise them, Dr Clifton says.

1. Family history of heart attack or stroke
2. High LDL cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol
3. High blood pressure
4. High blood glucose levels
5. Excess weight
6. Lack of exercise
7. Smoking
8. Sleep apnoea
9. Depression
10. Sexual problems, especially impotence in men

Diet and Exercise can Lower Cardiovascular Risks

“The CSIRO Healthy Heart Program looks at the top-10 foods for heart health as well as 10 warning signs to keep in mind. These include not only your cholesterol level, but also your waist measurement, sleeping pattern, fitness and mental health,” he says.

For example, sleep apnoea, left untreated, doubles or even triples a person’s likelihood of heart attack or stroke. Similarly, depression is often a silent pointer to CV problems.

“Sexual problems, particularly impotence, are another very good marker of CV problems,” Dr Clifton says.

See Also: Lifestyle not Genes to Blame for Ill-health

Ten Tips to Cut Down on Salt

Cardio-Protective Power of Grapes

The copyright of the article Cardio Risk Factors to Watch for in Men’s Health is owned by Sue Cartledge. Permission to republish Cardio Risk Factors to Watch for in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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