Cardiology

Know your risk for heart disease

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 659,000 people—or 1 in 4—die from heart disease each year in the United States Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. At Prevea, we’re at the forefront of helping you understand your risk for heart disease and how to prevent heart disease. 

Several health conditions, such as your lifestyle, your age and family history can increase your risk for heart disease. These are called risk factors. According to the CDC, about half of all Americans (47%) have at least 1 of 3 key risk factors for heart disease:

• High blood pressure.
• High cholesterol. 
• Smoking or tobacco use.

Genetic factors (family history) can also play a role in the likelihood of developing heart disease and other related heart conditions. However, it’s also likely that people with a family history of heart disease share common environments, lifestyles and other factors that might increase their risk. 

And while heart disease can happen at any age, the risk does go up as you age. Also, some racial and ethnic groups are more likely to have conditions that increase their risk factors for heart disease. According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death for people of most racial and ethnic groups including African Americans, American Indians and Alaska Natives and white people. For Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and Hispanics, heart disease is second only to cancer.

When to see a cardiologist

• Chest pain is the hallmark sign of a heart problem. It can also be a sign of a heart attack, which is a life-threatening emergency. Call 911 if you think you are having a heart attack. Remember that signs can be different for men and women. 
• High blood pressure, especially chronically elevated blood pressure, causes the heart to work harder to circulate blood and increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. 
• Shortness of breath, palpitations (a noticeably rapid, strong or irregular heartbeat) or dizziness. 
• Diabetes. There is a strong correlation between cardiovascular disease and diabetes. 
• Smoking is one of the major preventable risk factors for heart disease. 
• High cholesterol can contribute to plaque in your arteries. Plaque buildup leads to clogged arteries which can cause heart attack, stroke and even death. 
• Chronic kidney disease. If your kidneys don’t function your risk for heart disease increases. 
• A family history of heart disease. 
• You have peripheral arterial disease (PAD). 
• You’re inactive and planning to start an exercise routine. According to the CDC, it is recommended adults exercise 150 minutes a week in a moderate-intensity aerobic activity and do muscle-strengthening activities at least two days a week. Please talk to your health care provider if you haven’t been physically active in a while.