Cardiovascular diseases are conditions that affect the heart and blood arteries. Almost half of all adults have some heart disease. To control cardiovascular disease, you may make lifestyle modifications, or your healthcare professional may prescribe drugs. The earlier cardiovascular disease is detected, the easier it is to treat.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death. It is also a significant cause of disability. Numerous factors can increase your risk of heart disease. They are known as risk factors. Some of these are beyond your control, but many are. Learning about them can help you reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
- It would help if you did not smoke or use tobacco
Stopping smoking or using smokeless tobacco is one of the healthiest things you can do for your heart. Even if you don’t smoke, you should avoid second hand smoke.
Tobacco contains chemicals that can harm the heart and blood vessels. Cigarette smoke reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood, raising blood pressure and heart rate because the heart has to work harder to give enough oxygen to the body and brain.
But there is some good news. The risk of heart disease begins to decline as soon as a day after quitting. After a year of not smoking, the risk of heart disease is around half that of a smoker. You’ll start reaping benefits when you quit smoking, no matter how long or how much you smoked.
- Get plenty of rest
Obesity, high blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes, and depression are all increased in people who do not get enough sleep.
The majority of adults require at least seven hours of sleep per night. Make getting enough sleep a priority in your life. Set a sleep pattern for yourself and adhere to it by going to bed and waking up at the exact times every day. To make it easier to sleep, keep your bedroom dark and quiet.
If you believe you’ve been getting enough sleep but are still exhausted during the day, ask your doctor if you should be tested for obstructive sleep apnea, which increases your risk of heart disease.
Loud snoring, stopping breathing for brief periods during sleep, and waking up gasping for air are all symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea treatments may involve decreasing weight if you are overweight or using a continuous positive airway pressure device to keep your airway open while you sleep.
- Consume alcohol in moderation
Excessive alcohol use might elevate your blood pressure. It also adds calories, which may lead to weight gain. Both of them increase your chances of developing heart disease. Men should not consume more than two alcoholic beverages per day, and women should have no more than one.
- Maintain a healthy weight
Obesity or being overweight can increase your risk of heart disease. This is primarily due to their association with other risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, and diabetes. These dangers can be reduced by maintaining a healthy weight.