What are risk factors for cardiovascular disease ?
Risk factors for cardiovascular disease tend to increase the risk of narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis), angina (chest pain), kidney damage, heart attack or stroke.
The main risk factors for cardiovascular disease:
*cardiovascular disease have (had);
*diabetes mellitus (diabetes);
*rheumatoid arthritis;
*impaired kidney function;
*high blood pressure;
*elevated cholesterol levels;
*a father, mother, brother or sister who had a cardiovascular disease before the age of 65;
*smoking (the biggest risk factor);
*stress;
*lack of exercise;
*excessive alcohol consumption;
*unhealthy diet;
*overweight.
The risk of cardiovascular disease increases with age and is greater for men than for women. Someone from Hindu origin have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Some factors give more than other risks; along the risk factors interact.
Estimation of the risk of cardiovascular disease
We can look up your risk how likely it is estimated that a cardiovascular disease gets within ten years or dies from cardiovascular disease. Such an estimate is not a certainty. It occurs for example that a person with a high risk is still very old. Conversely, someone can still get a heart attack with low risk. People with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or a cardiovascular disease, in any case, have an increased risk.
Why a risk ?
For certain risk factors for cardiovascular disease, it makes sense to examine whether there are other factors that increase your risk. The overview of all your risk factors we call your risk. We can estimate your risk or your risk for cardiovascular disease is really increased.
We see also what measures you can best take to lower your risk, including:
*Stop smoking.
*Losing weight.
*Healthy eating.
*Exercise more.
*Medications used to further reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Advice at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease
Addressing your risk factors reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease and the chance to will die. It takes the risk is not completely gone. It happens that a person who improves his lifestyle and uses the correct medication, still get cardiovascular problems.
To decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease, this may mean that you need to adjust your lifestyle. For example, by quitting smoking, healthier eating and more exercise. This can be a difficult task, but you will find that you feel fitter quickly through this lifestyle change.
By healthier lives at risk to fall sharply so that you (more) needs no medicines to lower your blood pressure or cholesterol. In other cases, these drugs will still be necessary to reduce your risk sufficiently.
What goes on at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease ?
If you want to know about your risk factors for cardiovascular disease more and what measures you can take to reduce the risk you can let determine. Your risk Some risk factors you already know, such as:
*cardiovascular disease in your family;
*smoking;
*unhealthy diet;
*lack of exercise;
*stress;
*overweight;
*excessive alcohol consumption.
The other risk factors can check your doctor.
Blood pressure is measured in general practice and blood tests done to glucose (blood sugar) and cholesterol levels. If you prefer, you can discuss your risk of heart disease by your doctor. You can then look at how you can reduce that risk. Together with the doctor you see how you can improve the chances of a healthy life.