Heart disease impacts the lives of millions of Americans each year so understanding what are the characteristics of heart disease is a subject of great interest to many. This is especially true for those who have one or more of the risk factors associated with this condition.
The risk factors of heart disease fall into two categories; those that can be controlled and those that can cannot. The latter group includes age, being a man, and heredity. While growing older in itself doesnt cause heart disease, statistically it is known that most deaths from a heart attack occur after the age of 60. Additionally, as people age the ratio of heart disese between men and women tends to narrow and become virtually equal by the age of 62.
When asking what are the characteristics of heart disease certainly genetics should always be something carefully weighed. Individuals with a parent who suffered a heart attack because of arterial blockage at a relatively young age are at greater risk for the disease.
But while age, gender, and heredity are unavoidable there are a number of factors which can be reduced or even eliminated. At the top of this list is not smoking and avoiding second hand smoke. It has been known for years that tobacco smoke increase the risk of plaque deposits in the arteries which in turn greatly increases the chances of heart attack, and sudden death. Smoking also reduces the amount of high density lipoproteins (good cholesterol) in your bloodstream thus raising the concentration of bad cholesterol and triglycerides. It is pretty much a given that giving up smoking is essential to cardiovascular health, and ultimately reducing ones chances of becoming another heart attack statistic. It should also be pointed out that the combination of smoking and high blood pressure more than doubles a persons chances of having a heart attack.
Diabetes is another serious concern. Men with diabetes are 2.5 times more likely to have coronary artery disease, while women are 5 times more likely. It is also not uncommon for a diabetic to have a total cholesterol reading of 500 mg/dl which is well over the 240 mg/dl considered to be high risk.
But some would argue that the two factors that a person has the most control over linked to heart disease are diet and weight management. Surprisingly, being as little as 20 percent over your ideal weight increases dangerous blood cholesterol levels. By implementing a weight loss plan that is both low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and in calories you will be taking an important first step in avoiding that unexpected trip to the emergency room.
Note: Early warning signs of heart disease are chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling of the ankles, irregular or rapid heat beat, lethargy, and unexplained spells of light-headedness.
What else? As a preventative approach many are finding lifestyle modification along with a natural cholesterol supplement to be a very effective one two punch in the fight against heart disease. If you are interested in learning more about what are the characteristics of heart disease or natural cholesterol reduction supplements Click Here