HEALTH – Heart disease describes a range of conditions that affect the heart. Heart disease includes:
Blood vessel disease, such as coronary artery disease.
Irregular heartbeats, called arrhythmias.
Heart conditions that you’re born with, called congenital heart defects.
Disease of the heart muscle.
Heart valve disease.
Risk factors for heart disease include:
1.Age. Growing older increases the risk of damaged and narrowed arteries and a weakened or thickened heart muscle.
2.Sex assigned at birth. Men are generally at greater risk of heart disease. The risk in women increases after menopause.
3.Family history. A family history of heart disease increases the risk of coronary artery disease, especially if a parent developed it at an early age. That means before age 55 for a male relative, such as a brother or your father, and 65 for a female relative, such as your mother or a sister.
4.Smoking. If you smoke, quit. Substances in tobacco smoke damage the arteries. Heart attacks are more common in people who smoke than in people who don’t smoke. Talk with a healthcare professional if you need help quitting.
5.Unhealthy diet. Diets high in fat, salt, sugar and cholesterol have been linked to heart disease.
6.High blood pressure. High blood pressure that’s not controlled can cause the arteries to become hard and thick. These changes alter blood flow to the heart and body.
8.High cholesterol. Having high cholesterol increases the risk of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis has been linked to heart attack and stroke.
9.Diabetes. Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease. Obesity and high blood pressure increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
10.Obesity. Excess weight typically worsens other heart disease risk factors.
11.Lack of exercise. Being inactive is associated with many forms of heart disease and some of its risk factors too.
12.Stress. Emotional stress may damage the arteries and make other heart disease risk factors worse.
13.Poor dental health. Having unhealthy teeth and gums makes it easier for germs to get into the bloodstream and travel to the heart. This can cause an infection called endocarditis. Brush and floss your teeth often. Also get regular dental checkups.
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