Risk Factors For Heart Disease
High Blood Pressure
Hypertension is the term used to describe high blood pressure. When this happens, the heart has to pump harder than it should to push blood through the circulatory system. The condition has no warning signals, which is why everyone should have their blood pressure checked regularly. Sometimes high blood pressure can be reduced by increased physical activity, making healthy food choices
and losing weight. Other times, prescription medicine is required.
High CholesteroL
This condition is usually caused by eating foods high in saturated fats, trans fats (chemically altered vegetable oils found in thousands of processed foods from sweets and biscuits to ready-made meals)
and cholesterol. It can usually be treated by changing the foods you eat and getting more exercise. Other times, prescription medicine is required
Smoking
Cigarettes are extremely harmful to your body. They can cause cancer, Emphysema (an irriversable lung disease that reduces the ability of the lungs to expel air causing shortness of breath) and heart disease. The smoke from cigarettes pollutes your lungs and cause's fatty buildup in your arteries making it hard for blood to flow to all the organs.
Physical Inactivity
Lack of physical activity increases the risk for heart disease. It can also cause high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. Regular physical activity strengthens your heart and also helps
you control your weight.
Diabetes
Insulin is a hormone that helps the body use sugar. Diabetes is a disease when the body can not efficiently process the sugar you eat, making your blood sugar levels too high. Sometimes diabetes can be
managed with diet and physical activity. Other times, prescription medicine is required.
