It is no surprise that heart disease in Fort Worth is a leading cause of death. Health conditions, lifestyle, and age may all contribute to developing heart concerns. While some of your risk factors may be hard to control, the professional may design treatment to help you control your risk factors.
What are the health conditions that increase your risk of developing heart disease?
- High blood cholesterol levels
Though your liver produces enough cholesterol for your body’s needs, you are likely to add to the body’s cholesterol from the foods you eat. When you take in more cholesterol than your body needs, the surplus builds up in your arteries walls, including those in your heart. Cholesterol build-ups can narrow your blood vessels, decreasing blood flow to your vital organs including the heart, kidneys, brain, and the other parts of your body.
- Diabetes mellitus
Your body requires a constant supply of energy. As a result, your pancreas produces the insulin hormone that helps push sugar from the food you eat to your cells. However, when you have diabetes, your pancreas may not produce enough insulin or use it effectively. Since the condition causes sugar to accumulate in your blood, you can talk to your doctor and strategize on how to control your sugar levels and minimize your other risk factors.
- Obesity
Obesity results from minimal ‘good’ cholesterol levels and increased ‘bad’ cholesterol levels. As a result, the problem may lead to other health concerns including heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
- High blood pressure
You are at risk of developing high blood pressure when the flowing force of blood in your blood vessels is too high, exceeding the average rate. Though the condition has no symptoms, it is likely to affect your heart and other vital organs if you fail to consult your doctor to help you control the pressure. As a result, the only way to know your pressure level is by measuring it. Additionally, lifestyle changes and prescription medications are the only ways to lower your risks of heart attack or heart disease.
What are the behaviors likely to contribute to a heart condition?
Your lifestyle plays a significant role in increasing your risk of developing heart disease. The behaviors that can increase your chances of having a heart condition include:
Too much alcohol intake– besides increasing your blood pressure, alcohol also accelerates your triglycerides (a fat-like substance in your blood) levels, likely to increase your risk of heart issues.
Inadequate physical activity– an inactive lifestyle increases your chances of developing other medical conditions that may also be risk factors of heart disease, including diabetes and obesity.
Eating foods with high cholesterol levels, trans fat, and saturated fats– additionally, too much salt in your diet can increase your blood pressure.
Tobacco use– cigarette smoking not only damages your heart and blood vessels. The carbon monoxide from the smoke minimizes the oxygen that your blood carries throughout your body.
Understanding your risk factors for various health conditions may help you manage life-threatening conditions like heart disease. Contact your doctor to know more about your risk factors and how you can manage heart disease.
