Ask the Doctor what to do to Prevent Heart Disease

Ask the Alternative Medicine Doctors What to do to Prevent Heart Disease

Question:
How can I avoid heart disease if my family members have it?

Answer:
Heart disease or atherosclerosis does have a hereditary component. A family history of diabetes, gout, high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol also increases the risk of heart disease.

Does this mean that if your family has heart disease you will?

No, it does not. A positive family history is one of many risk factors for heart disease. Therefore it is more critical to be mindful of other risk factors if you have a family tendency.

What are the risk factors you can control?

Cigarette and tobacco smoke
Smokers' risk of heart attack is more than twice that of nonsmokers. Cigarette smoking is the biggest risk factor for sudden cardiac death: smokers have two to four times the risk of nonsmokers. Smokers who have a heart attack are more likely to die and die suddenly (within an hour) than are nonsmokers. Available evidence also indicates that chronic exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (second-hand smoke, passive smoking) may increase the risk of heart disease.
High blood cholesterol levels
The risk of coronary heart disease rises as blood cholesterol levels increase. When other risk factors (such as high blood pressure and cigarette smoke) are present, this risk increases even more. A person's cholesterol level is also affected by age, sex, heredity and diet. The most critical marker in blood cholesterol tests is the ratio of HDL (good cholesterol) to total cholesterol. Triglycerides (free fat in the blood) also need to be kept in control. Most labs will label a reading under 200 mg/dl as normal. However, any value over 120 does carry increased risk for heart disease. There are other tests which can give additional information as to one's risk assessment. These include Lipoprotein(a), its subunits: apo A-1, apo B, and homocysteine. Although some of these markers have received much press lately, they will only be done if asked for. Ideally find a physician familiar with functional medicine. If cholesterol ratios are off (or even if they are not) the best solution is diet modification. Lowering total fat, saturated fat, trans fatty acid and refined carbohydrates are all helpful. Raising omega 3 fats, vitamin C, and bioflavanoids are also helpful. Homocysteine causes cholesterol to stick to the arteries. It can be lowered simply by increasing intake of B6 (50 mg/day), folic acid (800 mcg.day) and B12 (1 mg/day). As tests for it are still pricey, many prefer to take the vitamins without testing, since they are cheap and safe.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure increases the heart's workload, causing the heart to enlarge and weaken over time. It also increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and congestive heart failure. When high blood pressure exists with obesity, smoking, high blood cholesterol levels or diabetes, the risk of heart attack or stroke increases several times.
Physical inactivity
Lack of physical activity is a risk factor for coronary heart disease. Regular, moderate-to-vigorous exercise plays a significant role in preventing heart and blood vessel disease. Even modest levels of low-intensity physical activity are beneficial if done regularly and long term. Exercise can help control blood cholesterol, diabetes and obesity as well as help to lower blood pressure in some people. As per heart disease, aerobic exercise is the big star. Learn to monitor your heart rate while exercising with a monitor or by checking your pulse. Train at least 4 times per week for 30-45 minutes at 60% of your maximum heart rate
Obesity and overweight
People who have excess body fat are more likely to develop heart disease and stroke even if they have no other risk factors. Obesity is unhealthy because excess weight increases the strain on the heart. It's directly linked with coronary heart disease because it influences blood pressure, blood cholesterol and Triglycerides levels, and makes diabetes more likely to develop