The Heart Foundation of Jamaica - Risks for your heart

	Hypertension (Blood Pressure) Everyone has blood pressure. It is simply the pressure put on the walls of the blood vessels as the heart pumps blood through them. In all human beings blood pressure varies from minute to minute; going up when the heart beats rapidly, when we are excited or worried, and going down when we rest. In some people, blood pressure goes up too high and stays that way. Hypertension is sustained high blood pressure. You can tell if you have high blood pressure only by the use of a blood pressure machine (called a sphygmomanometer), not by the way you feel. High blood pressure by itself seldom makes you feel ill or gives rise to symptoms. That is why it is sometimes referred to as the silent killer. LACK OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY Lack of physical activity is recognized as a risk factor for coronary heart disease and may also be involved in stroke. Even modest levels of low intensity physical activity are beneficial, if done regularly over the long term. Exercise can help control blood cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. OBESITY People who are more than 30% over their ideal body weight are more likely to develop heart disease and stroke, even if they have no other risk factors. Obesity increases the strain on the heart, contributes to high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol and can lead to adult-onset diabetes. STRESS Stress may be a contributing factor in the development of heart disease and stroke. People under stress may also indulge in unhealthy activities such as smoking or overeating. HIGH ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION Alcohol consumption should be restricted to 2 bottles of beer or 10 ounces of wine or 2 one-ounce drinks of spirits daily. SMOKING A smoker’s risk of heart attack or stroke is twice that of a non-smoker. Chronic exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (or second-hand smoke) may increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

	A FAMILY HISTORY OF HEART DISEASE Children of parents with premature cardiovascular disease are more likely to develop it themselves HOW TO AVOID & REDUCE RISK FACTORS • Get rid of excess weight. Every extra pound your body carries means extra work for your heart. It is like carrying a heavy parcel which cannot be put down. Avoid excess eating and eat healthy foods, which are low- fat, low-cholesterol and high in fiber • Eat fewer sweets and less fried and fatty foods. • Eat less salt by cutting down on table salt, salt pork, salt beef and other salty foods. Exercise regularly. Be more active. Go for brisk walks. Jog, swim, ride a bicycle. • Reduce stress by doing things that relax you. Stress results from tension and emotional upset. When you are under stress your blood pressure increases. • Reduce alcohol intake. Remember alcohol has a lot of calories and the heavy use of alcohol (more than two drinks a day) can raise blood pressure. • Stop smoking. Smoking cigarettes leads to diseases of the heart and blood vessels and increases the complications of hypertension • Taking medicine if a change in diet is not enough • Monitor your risks for heart disease by doing frequent screening tests continue reading 1 /2