Did you know that heart disease is
the leading cause of death for both men and women in the US?
In fact, one person dies of cardiovascular disease every 36 seconds.
The good news is that there are ways
that you can reduce your risk of heart disease. The exact steps you need to
take will depend on your own circumstances.
Your cardiologist is the person who can help you work out how to reduce your risk of cardiovascular problems.
What information do you need from your cardiologist? Read on to learn more.
Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a key
indicator that you are at a higher risk of cardiovascular problems. High blood
pressure can lead to heart attacks but is also a factor in other serious issues
such as strokes.
You should be aiming for a blood
pressure of 120/80 mmHg or lower. If your blood pressure is higher than this,
there are a number of ways you can try to get it down. These include regular
exercise, reducing alcohol intake, losing weight, or eating a healthier diet.
If these methods aren't effective,
you may be offered medication that can help to lower your blood pressure.
LDL Cholesterol
High cholesterol is another
indicator that you are at risk of cardiovascular problems. This is because
cholesterol can become deposited in your arteries causing them to harden or
become blocked, increasing your risk of problems such as heart attacks and
strokes.
Not all cholesterol is bad, however.
Low-density cholesterol, or LDL, is the type of cholesterol that can cause
problems. It is sometimes known as 'bad' cholesterol for this reason.
High-density cholesterol, or HDL, can actually help your body to get rid of
excess cholesterol.
If your LDL cholesterol levels are
high, you can try changing your diet, or increasing the amount of exercise you
get. If this is unsuccessful you may require medication to reduce your LDL cholesterol
levels.
Risk of Cardiovascular Problems
One of the most important pieces of
information you should get from your cardiologist is your risk of heart
disease.
Based on your test results, your
cardiologist will be able to give you an indication of the chances that you
will suffer from heart problems or other related conditions in the future.
This will give you a clear idea of
whether you need to make changes in your lifestyle or start a course of
medication. By knowing how the heart works and your current level of risk, you
can take the necessary steps to reduce the chances of the worst happening.
What Information Do You Need? Now
You Know
What information do you need from
your cardiologist? Hopefully, this article has helped you to answer that
question.
Since heart disease is the leading
cause of death in the US, it is vital that you have all the information you
need to live a heart-healthy lifestyle. Your cardiologist will be able to
advise you of the steps you'll need to take.
If you're looking for more useful
articles like this one, then be sure to check out the rest of the site.
