Preventing Heart Disease
Cardiovascular disease is the leading
Mediterranean diet has been proven to
cause of death of men and women in
decrease BP by 5-7 mm HG. If lifestyle
the United States. The most common
changes are not sufficient to maintain a
presentation of cardiovascular diseases
normal blood pressure, you may need
are heart attacks (myocardial infarction,
medication to further decrease your risk.
MI) and strokes (cerebrovascular
Patricia
Guerrero,
MD, FACC
Member of the Heart
Rhythm Society
Florida Heart Group, PA
1613 North Mills Ave.
Orlando, FL 32803
e) Diabetes Mellitus: The marker
accidents, CVA).
of this disease is elevated blood sugar
Cardiovascular disease can be
(glucose) levels. This disease alone
prevented, in great part, by modifying
increases the risk of myocardial
your risk factors.
infarction, strokes and peripheral
407-894-4474
The risk factors include
vascular disease ten times the normal
#1 Non- Modifiable Risk Factors
population. See your doctor on a regular
such as age and a family history of
basis for screening and therapy.
define your target healthy weight.
premature atherosclerotic vascular
b) Sedentarianism: Aerobic exercise
disease (MI or CVA under age 65 years)
f) Hyperlipidemia: This term
encompasses elevated LDL (bad)
decreases the risk of cardiovascular
cholesterol; elevated triglycerides and;
will focus in this issue on the modifiable
disease. The more active you become,
low HDL levels (good cholesterol).
risk factors. Changes in lifestyle and
the less the risk. The goal is to perform
Elevated LDL and triglycerides levels
appropriate medical therapy can
moderate aerobic exercise at least 5 days
are often the effect of poor diet, lack
dramatically reduce the long-term risks
of the week for 30 minute intervals in
of exercise and excessive portion
of heart attacks and strokes. Recent data
each occasion. The weekly goal is 200
sizes. Adopting a heart healthy diet
also indicates that a healthy lifestyle will
minutes or greater. Exercise need not be
rich in fruits, vegetable, whole grains
also decrease your risk of certain cancers
formal or structured. Find an activity, or
and fish; and regular exercise may
and chronic illnesses such as diabetes
multiple aerobic activities, that you enjoy
improve abnormal levels and decrease
and hypertension. In this occasion, we
and do them frequently.
your risks. When this is insufficient,
#2 Modifiable Risk Factors. We
c) Nicotine use: Cease smoking.
certain medications have been proven
There are no known beneficial effects of
to decrease the risk of cardiovascular
index is 18.5-24. Body mass index of
nicotine. Consult your physician if you
events. Consult your physician, for
25-30 defines “overweight”. A body mass
need assistance in quitting.
recommendations.
will discuss:
a) Obesity: A normal body mass
index of greater than 30 defines obesity
d) Systemic Hypertension (elevated
In summary, be aware and pro-
in the average population. Maintaining
blood pressure): Monitor your BP at rest at
active in regards to your health.
a normal weight will not only decrease
regular intervals. Seek medical attention
Restoring your heart or brain to normal
your risk of heart attacks and strokes,
if you note persistent blood pressure
may not be possible after a heart attack
but will also decrease the risk or need
readings above 130/85. The treatment of
or stroke. The best treatment is to avoid
for medications in entities such as
hypertension includes weight loss, daily
these diseases by prevention with a
hypertension, diabetes mellitus and
aerobic exercise and dietary changes.
healthy lifestyle and careful attention to
hyperlipidemia. Determine your BMI and
The DASH diet which is based on the
proper therapy of existing illnesses.
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Medical News
MAY 2008 • 19