Do you know your risk of heart disease? If not, review your risk factors
with your doctor. If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or
diabetes, or if you are generally inactive, smoke, or are overweight,
your risk of developing heart disease is higher than the general population.
That means that you need to take steps to reduce your risk and keep your
heart healthy. Keep these tips in mind to protect your
heart health.
Control Your Medical Conditions
If you have a chronic medical condition that increases your risk of heart
disease, follow your treatment plan closely and see your doctor regularly
to monitor your progress. For instance, keeping your blood glucose levels
under control when you have diabetes doesn’t erase your increased
risk for heart disease, but it can dramatically delay and minimize any
heart-related complications you do experience.
Get Regular Check-Ups
As Dr. Sam Kalioundji, an interventional cardiologist at West Hills Hospital
& Medical Center discusses in this video, close monitoring by your
physician is essential if you have a high risk of heart disease. Seeing
your physician often allows him or her to diagnose changes in your heart
health in early stages, when treatments can be most effective. Diagnosing
heart disease in this way is much better than finding out you have it
when you’re receiving emergency care for a heart attack.
Commit to Healthy Living
Having an existing high risk of heart disease means that lifestyle choices
that could harm your heart are more dangerous than ever. Commit to doing
everything you can to avoid contributing to your risk. Don’t smoke,
and if you do, ask your doctor for help quitting. Eat a diet low in sodium,
added sugars, and trans fats while consuming more foods high in monounsaturated
fats, fiber, and lean protein. Get physical activity most days, as long
as your doctor says it is safe.
West Hills Hospital & Medical Center provides nationally recognized
cardiac care through our West Hills Regional Heart & Vascular Center and our
specialized emergency care in Las Vegas. Get a referral to one of our physicians or learn more about heart care
services by calling (818) 676-4321.