American Heart Month is celebrated in February. The World Heart Federation launched it to unite people and raise awareness of heart disease. It is the perfect way to spread knowledge about preventing and treating heart attack risk factors. American Heart Month is celebrated to encourage people to start leading a heart-healthy lifestyle. A study has shown that heart disease is the primary cause of death for men and women in the United States. However, it is possible to prevent heart disease through healthy choices and the management of health conditions. Some people tend to have a false sense of security about the risks that can cause a heart attack and stroke. Read along to know about the different ways of preventing heart attack and stroke.
Causes of a heart attack
Multiple heart attack risk factors can usually cause this condition. Among these, the most common is high cholesterol. It is a big warning sign for men and women to start taking immense care of their health. People with high cholesterol should consult their doctor and follow tips to lower it. A study showed that 80 percent of the people who had a heart attack also had high cholesterol levels. In the United States, it is observed that every 34 seconds, a person experiences a heart attack.
Another risk factor for heart disease is a family history of heart disease. The heart attack risk calculator and research show that people who have parents, sisters or brothers who suffer from heart disease have a higher chance of getting it at an early age. As such, it is necessary to inform the doctor who can assess one’s overall risk of getting any heart disease.
A lesser known risk for heart attacks and strokes
A lesser-known risk factor for heart attack and stroke is Lipoprotein. This genetically determined cholesterol particle silently increases risk, even with normal cholesterol levels, alongside factors such as chronic inflammation, gum disease, loneliness, poor sleep, and environmental noise pollution. Conditions like gum disease allow oral bacteria into the bloodstream, causing arterial inflammation. Chronic inflammation from issues like arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease also hardens arteries, raising the risk of heart disease.
Who is most at risk?
Generally, middle-aged or older people are the ones who may have a heart attack. In most cases, the average age at first attack is 66 for men and 70 for women. However, a lesser-known risk for heart attacks and strokes is that it can be found in younger people as well. It has been noticed that people in their 20s and 30s may also have a heart attack. The chance of getting a heart attack increases at the age of 45 for men and 50 for women. The sedentary lifestyle is considered a common risk factor for heart attack in young people.
Common risk factors
The chances of a heart attack may increase due to many risk factors. Some risk factors cannot be controlled, while others can be reduced. Proper treatment can reduce these controllable risk factors. Let’s look at several risk factors associated with heart disease.
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- Age – mostly above 45 to 50 years
- Family history of early heart disease
- Controllable risk factors
- High LDL or bad cholesterol
- Low HDL or good cholesterol
- High triglycerides
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Smoking
Ideal levels of cholesterol
The various risk factors of heart disease or stroke deeply impact the levels of the recommended LDL or bad cholesterol. Discuss with a doctor the different methods for controlling cholesterol levels. A person’s LDL levels may change significantly due to different risk factors for heart disease. The chances of suffering from heart disease can increase if the risk factors also increase. Visit a certified doctor who can provide appropriate treatment to manage the cholesterol levels and risk factors associated with heart disease.
When does the heart attack strike?
Platelets in the blood become sticky in the morning, which may lead to clotting. A study proved that this may be the reason most heart attacks occur in the morning. It has also been observed that people who had aspirin every day diminished their chances of getting heart disease. Aspirin can keep the platelets from sticking together. It is important to consult a certified doctor before taking any medication for a heart attack or stroke.
Beating the odds
The typical symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain, anxiety, abnormal breathing, loss of responsiveness and much more. In order to diminish the risk of a heart attack, it is imperative to follow the different advanced treatment techniques. These include diagnosis, medication and life-saving technology. It is also possible to diminish the risk of a heart attack with proper treatment and medication prescribed by a certified cardiologist. ReliableRx Pharmacy is a well-known online chemist in the United States that provides a huge range of high-quality medicines and drugs to your doorstep.
How to lower risk of heart attack?
To reduce the risk of a heart attack, taking proper cardiac care is considered a surefire way to prevent heart disease. So, suitable measures need to be taken to treat heart diseases. Before that, it is crucial to find out the various risk factors involved and eliminate them gradually. A certified doctor can help identify these factors and provide appropriate treatment for heart-related diseases; for example, he may ask you to undergo a heart attack risk test, undergo therapy, start taking some medicines or supplements, or quit an unhealthy lifestyle.
