LIFESTYLE

Lifestyle

There are medications that can be prescribed by your primary care practitioner that can lower cholesterol and manage high blood pressure, but many times a healthy lifestyle will decrease your chance of needing these medications.

The Basics of a Healthy Lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle is crucial to maintaining cardiac health. While some risk factors cannot be changed, such as your age, race, gender, and familial predisposition, many are in your control.

Modifiable risk factors are those that you can control. Uncontrolled high blood pressure and uncontrolled diabetes are high risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease. A healthy lifestyle helps regulate blood pressure, maintain a normal blood glucose level, and strengthen the heart muscle.

Cigarette smoke contains noxious agents that damage the lining of your vessel walls. It also increases your blood pressure and increases your risk of forming blood clots. Smoking decreases the good cholesterol in your blood, which greatly increases your risk of forming plaque in your vessels.

NON-MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS

Age
Race/Ethnicity
Gender
Family History

MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS

Diet
Lack of Exercise
Obesity
High Cholesterol/Triglycerides
Smoking
Alcohol Use
Uncontrolled Diabetes