HEALTHY HEART FACT SHEET
RISK FACTORS FOR HEART DISEASE—
- Obesity- Losing just 10 pounds will decrease your risk of developing heart disease. Losing 20 pounds can possibly enable your physician to take away one diabetes or blood pressure medicine. We have to get moving with some physical activity!
- High blood pressure- Increases the work of the heart causing the heart to thicken and work less efficiently. The top number is systolic blood pressure and it measures how much pressure the heart uses to pump blood to the rest of the body. The bottom number is your diastolic pressure and it measures the pressure when the heart is resting. Your systolic (top number ) should be less than 120. Your diastolic (bottom number) should be less than 80.
- Diabetes- Out of control blood sugars extremely increase your risk of developing heart disease. It is vitally important that you keep your diabetes under control. Normal glucose levels should be less than 120.
- High Cholesterol- There are 2 types of cholesterol.
Bad (LDL’s) should be <130.
The LDL’s when traveling through the arteries sometimes
leave little pieces of cholesterol on the artery walls of the heart.
Good (HDL’s) should be >40;
the HDL’s are responsible for picking up the pieces of cholesterol to
keep the arteries from clogging up and causing a heart attack or stroke.
WAYS TO REDUCE HEART FAILURE RISK-
- Increase your physical activity level (Exercise)
- Decrease the salt, saturated fat and cholesterol that you eat. (Usually fried fatty foods and sweets)
- Regularly see your doctor and get a physical done.
- Release the STRESS!
WARNING SIGNS THAT SIGNAL WHEN TO CALL A DOCTOR
- Chest Pain
- Tingling or numbness in your jaw
- Tingling or numbness in your arm, especially the left side.
- Pain in your neck or across the top of your back near your shoulders
- Slurred Speech
- Drooping on one side of your face
- Shortness of breath and extreme fatigue even with simple tasks.
- Upset Stomach (Nausea, Vomiting, or Indigestion)
*****If you experience any of these signs and symptoms. Call 911. DO NOT drive yourself or have someone drive you to the hospital!!
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