What Do You Know About Preventing Heart Disease?

This condition is called atherosclerosis. Fat and cholesterol build up in the arteries and create places of inflammation. This buildup is called plaque. The plaque makes the inside of the arteries narrower and stiffer, and less blood can get to the heart. The condition develops slowly and may start in childhood. It can affect the arteries of the brain, heart, kidneys, and the arms and legs. Over time, severe plaque buildup can result in a heart attack or stroke. This happens when an area of the heart or brain does not get enough oxygen.

The heart and brain can be permanently damaged if they don't receive the blood they need. When this occurs in the heart, it is known as a heart attack (acute myocardial infarction). When this occurs in the brain, it is known as a stroke (cerebrovascular accident).

As you get older, your risk increases. In people assigned male at birth, the risk increases after age 45. In people assigned female at birth, it increases after age 55. Your risk increases if your father or sibling was diagnosed with heart disease before age 55. Your risk also increases if your mother or sibling was diagnosed before age 65. These are risk factors you can control: your blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight. You can cut your risk by not smoking and by getting regular exercise. You can also cut your risk by visiting your healthcare provider regularly. Follow your provider's advice on getting health counseling and using medicines.

Smoking also makes it more likely for blood clots to form.

For healthy adults ages 18 to 65, experts advise at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week for good health. This exercise can be broken into 30-minute chunks on most days of the week. Brisk walking, leisurely swimming, basketball (shooting around), and ballroom dancing are good choices. Talk with your healthcare provider before starting a new exercise program. You may need a special cardiac rehab (rehabilitation) program if you have had a heart attack.

A BMI of 25 or higher means that you are overweight. A BMI of 30 or higher means that you are obese. Losing weight may help you prevent heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Besides helping your heart, staying at a healthy weight has many other benefits.

Too much alcohol can damage the liver and heart, lead to high blood pressure, raise triglycerides, and increase weight. Moderate drinking is no more than 2 drinks a day for an adult assigned male at birth. And it's no more than 1 drink a day for an adult assigned female at birth. One drink is 12 ounces of beer, 4 ounces of wine, or 1-1/2 ounces of 80-proof spirits. Some studies have shown a small increase in HDL cholesterol with moderate use of alcohol. This extra HDL cholesterol can remove some of the LDL cholesterol. It can also decrease hardening of the arteries. If you don’t drink alcohol, don’t start drinking to get the benefits of alcohol. You can get the same benefits through exercise and a healthy diet.

Call 911 right away if you or someone you're with has these symptoms. Chest pain or discomfort is the most common symptom of a heart attack for adults. Nausea and vomiting, back or jaw pain, and especially shortness of breath may be more likely in adults assigned female at birth. Don't hesitate to get help. The problem needs to treated right away.