7 Ways to Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease

Heart attacks are the leading cause of death in the United States, with one occurring every 40 seconds, accounting for over 380,000 mortalities every year. Life-saving medical advances have been made in treating heart attacks; however, awareness and lifestyle modification remain the cornerstone of prevention.

The process of plaque formation in the coronary arteries can begin as early as in our 20’s. Initially forming as fatty streaks on the inner walls of our arteries, these ultimately organize into plaques which can narrow or obstruct the flow of blood within the vessel. When the artery narrows greater than 70%, a person may develop chest pain, also termed angina. If the plaque becomes unstable, it may rupture, releasing inflammatory particles which precipitate a blood clot to form over the plaque.

This clot could abruptly block blood flow in an artery, and cause a heart attack. A person may experience chest tightness, difficulty breathing, arm or neck discomfort, nausea, or a combination of these symptoms. Acute heart attack may also lead to deadly heart rhythms known as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation which, if not treated promptly, could quickly lead to death. Moreover, women and diabetics may have atypical symptoms such as abdominal discofort or back pain as the presenting symptom of a heart attack.

The risk factors for developing heart disease are well known and include diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, and a family history of premature heart disease. Therefore, a healthy diet and regular follow up with your doctor is strongly recommended. A modified Mediterranean or DASH diet is a good starting point in structuring your meals. These diets promote fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and fish, while limiting red meat intake to once a week. Portion control and avoiding late night snacks are also important. Your doctor will work on controlling your blood pressure, which should be less than 120/80mmHg, lowering your cholesterol with medication if needed, and keeping your Hemoglobin A1C less than 7% if you have diabetes. Quitting smoking and increasing physical activity will also benefit your heart and lower overall risk.

1. Swap your diet for the DASH or Modified Mediterranean diet.
2. Limit meal portion size and late night snacks.
3. Control blood pressure with your doctor.
4. Check cholesterol at least once a year and review with your doctor.
5. Optimize hemoglobin A1C if you have diabetes.
6. Stop smoking.
7. Aim for 20 mins of “heart pumping” exercise 4-5 times a week.

Coronary stents are the predominant therapy used to open blocked arteries. A stent is a metallic mesh tube that is inserted during a cardiac catheterization procedure which is performed by accessing the radial artery in the wrist, or the femoral artery in the groin. Stent technology has progressed over decades with innovative metal composition and drug coatings which improve durability. These treatments are also readily used to treat other vascular territories such as leg artery blockages, a major cause of amputation in the United States. If multiple coronary arteries are blocked or if the left main coronary artery is involved, your doctor may recommend coronary artery bypass graft surgery as a better option to restore blood flow.

Knowing your risk, changing your habits, and working closely with your physician are strong preventative measures that can lower your risk of heart attack. Schedule an appointment.