PATIENT EDUCATION TOPICS: Educational Resources and Web Links What are the risk factors for heart disease? What is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)? Strategies to Reduce Cardiac Risk Factors Educational Resources and Web Links For more information, click on the following links:   American Heart Association   Heart Failure Society of America What are the risk factors for heart disease? According to the American Heart Association, risk factors for heart disease include:   Family History of Heart Disease   High Cholesterol   High Blood Pressure   Smoking   Diabetes   Overweight   Inactive Lifestyle Return to Top What is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)? Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the result of atherosclerosis, which is a build-up of plaque deposits on the inner lining of the coronary arteries that supply oxygenated blood to the heart. Plaque is a combination of cholesterol, fatty deposits, cellular debris and calcium. When plaque clogs or blocks the coronary arteries, the heart does not receive the full amount of blood it needs to function properly. A significant amount of plaque build-up leads to symptoms of chest pain (angina). A heart attack occurs in advanced stages of CAD when blood flow to the heart is totally blocked. Return to Top Strategies to Reduce Cardiac Risk Factors A preventive care plan to reduce cardiac risk factors includes the following strategies:   Stop Smoking — As a smoker your life expectancy is seven years less than that of a non-smoker. Smokers also have a twelve times greater risk of heart disease than their non-smoking counterparts. There are immediate benefits of quitting, such as a reduction in blood pressure and improved circulation. After one year of not smoking, your additional risk for heart disease is half of what is was while smoking.   Monitor your Blood Pressure The higher your blood pressure, the harder it is for your heart to pump effectively. High blood pressure harms your arteries, weakens your heart and causes it to overwork. An optimal blood pressure reading is 120/80. In general, a diagnosis of high blood pressure is made if your resting blood pressure is consistently 140/90, or higher, according to the 1997 report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection and Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. Keeping your blood pressure under control can reduce your risk for heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure and kidney disease.   Watch Your Cholesterol Have a blood cholesterol (also called lipids) test performed to determine your levels. Knowing these numbers is an important part of the prevention process. Excess cholesterol and fat in the blood eventually contribute to a buildup of plaque on the walls of the arteries. Reducing your cholesterol levels can have a direct impact on your risk for heart disease. What the numbers mean: LDL cholesterol, often referred to as the “bad” cholesterol, can build up in your blood vessels and form plaque. If you have 2 or more of the above mentioned risk factors, then your LDL “bad” cholesterol should be less than 130mg/dl. If you are already diagnosed with CAD, your LDL should be less than 100mg/dl. HDL cholesterol, often referred to as the “good” cholesterol, can help remove bad cholesterol from your blood and can help reduce your risk for heart disease. Your HDL should be greater than 35mg/dl, although greater than 45mg/dl is optimal. Smokers and people with sedentary lifestyles often lack enough HDL to protect their hearts, which increases their risk for disease. LDL and HDL Word Game: To remember which is the good or bad cholesterol, think of HDL as the “healthy” cholesterol and LDL as the “lousy” cholesterol. Total cholesterol should be less than 200mg/dl. Triglycerides, which come from fats and sugars in the diet, should be below 200mg/dl as well. All of these numbers are results of a blood test called a "cholesterol or lipid profile" prescribed by your physician.   Control Diabetes — Elevated blood glucose levels damage the arteries and increase the risk for heart attack. Most diabetics die from cardiac complications of their disease. Having a family history of diabetes and being overweight can lead to the development of diabetes. Screening for diabetes can be done as a part of fasting blood work. Your fasting blood sugar should be between 80 and 120mg/dl. Diabetes is a serious chronic disease that should not be taken lightly. Early intervention and control of elevated blood sugars can reduce your risk for heart disease, kidney disease, infections and blindness. Maintain a Normal Weight – Excess weight has an impact on your risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, and your overall risk for heart disease. Carrying around that extra weight has a tremendous effect on the functioning of your heart. Set realistic goals for weight loss. Gradual weight loss through proper eating and exercise is the healthiest approach. Watching your diet and adding exercise will encourage weight loss. Instead of making a weight loss goal, make a lifestyle goal to change your habits. Exercise – Heart healthy exercise is not the same as just being active. The role of heart healthy aerobic exercise is to condition the heart so that it can function more efficiently while consuming less oxygen. Starting an exercise program should focus on a 30-minute aerobic workout most days of the week. Examples of aerobic exercise are brisk walking, cycling, jogging and dancing. The key is finding something that you actually enjoy. Start slow, and build up to your optimum exercise level. Monitoring your pulse rate before, during and after activity is a good way to evaluate yourself. It is important, however, to consult with your health care provider before starting an exercise program. Manage Stress – Stress management is another step towards reducing your risk of heart disease. The body responds to stress by increasing blood pressure, heart rate and blood sugar. There have been studies that show consistent negative stress can weaken your immune system. Although completely ridding your life of stress may not be possible, changing your response to stress may be a more achievable goal. Stress management techniques, such as exercise, meditation, relaxation breathing, yoga or simply participating in an activity that you enjoy (such as reading, writing in a journal, listening to music, taking a bath, having a massage) can all have a positive effect on your emotional state and reduce your stress level. Women and Menopause — A unique category of risk for women is the loss of estrogen during and after menopause. Estrogen protects your heart, so when these levels in the body decrease, the risk of disease increases. A controversial issue facing many women is whether or not to take hormone-replacement therapy. This is a topic that you should discuss with your health care provider. Estrogen has been reported to have many benefits: it raises HDL “good” cholesterol, plays a role in decreasing the effects of LDL “bad” cholesterol in the arteries and helps to dilate the arteries to assist in blood flow. The choice would be based on a review of your family history, your individual risk factors and your personal benefits versus risks. Return to Top