A lot of people look at heart disease as something that happens to other people, not to them. Thinking they “feel fine” so they have nothing worry about. Many women think that being female protects them from heart disease. Men may think they are not old enough to have a serious heart condition.
They may be wrong on all counts. Heart disease is the number 1 killer of both women and men in the United States. It affects people at midlife as well as in old age. It can happen even if you “feel fine.
Did you know?
- 500,000 Americans die of heart disease every year and that approximately half of them are women.
- A man’s risk of heart disease begins to rise significantly as early as age 45.
- The risk starts to increase at age 55 for a woman.
- Of those that die suddenly of heart disease, 50% of men and 64% of women had no previous symptoms of the disease.
These facts do not need to be frightening. You make the decision to protect and improve your heart health. You may think you take fairly good of your yourself and are unlikely to get heart disease. A national survey showed that only 3% of U.S. adults were practicing the four habits to help prevent heart disease:
Young people may be vulnerable. A recent study showed that about two-thirds of teenagers already have at least one risk factor for heart disease.
Risk Factors
Any positive changes you make are going to reduce your chance of heart disease, but every risk factor counts. Research says that each risk factor increases the chances of heart disease. Research also showed that the worse a particular risk fact is that the more likely you are to develop heart disease. For example, the higher your blood pressure is the greater your chances of developing heart disease and other grave consequences.
Heart disease can interfere with your life. It can prevent you from holding a job and keep you from enjoying activities with family and friends. Doing simple things such as taking a walk, climbing stairs, or getting out of a sitting position can be difficult.
Dr. Bobish
Dr. Bobish and her team’s goal is to help you reduce your risk of heart disease. Helping you to understand your risk factors and making healthful lifestyle changes.
Remember regardless of age or current state of health it is never too late to start protecting your heart. It is also never too soon and the sooner you act the better. Follow us on Facebook to see our latest post helping to keep you heart healthy. You can also explore all our articles that offer diet and exercise tips, recipes and information on procedures and heart disease.
Dr. Bobish and her team focus on preventative care and are here to support you. Alpine Cardiology provides patients with education as well as compassionate care and treatment. We are committed to keeping you healthy and heart smart! Request an appointment at 989-448-7002
Guide to a Healthy Heart
Over the next several months we will be publishing a series of articles that will become A Guide to a Healthy Heart. By breaking these guidelines into chapters we are able to offer more in depth information on the topics. Watch our Facebook page or website for the latest article.
Alpine Cardiology’s goal is to give you a better understanding of how to live a healthy lifestyle and to take care of your heart. To encourage you to talk to your healthcare provider about your risk factors. To take the mystery out of what the tests are and what they tell your doctor. Links to published chapters are below if you would like to explore the guide more.
- Why should I care about heart disease?
- Heart Disease – What you need to know
- Are you at risk of developing heart disease?
- What are your numbers?
- Major Risk Factors
- Cholesterol and Heart Disease Risk
- Ways to Lower Your Cholesterol
- Weight and Heart Disease
- Diabetes and Heart Disease
- What Else Affects Heart Disease
- Risk Factors Specific to Women
- Taking Charge: An Action Plan for Heart Health
- Give Your Heart a Little TLC
- Figuring Out Fat
- Aim for a Healthy Weight – Part 1
- Aim for a Healthy Weight – Part 2
- Time to be Active
- You Can Quit Smoking
- Aspirin – Take with Caution
- Heart Healthy is a Family Affair
- A Change of Heart