Heart diseases refer to various heart ailments like coronary artery disease, heart defects, heart infections, etc. Heart problems are among the primary reasons of deaths all over the world. Sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits associated with modern lifestyle have increased the risk of heart problems. Although heart conditions affect both men and women, male population is more prone to heart disease. There are a lot of factors that can lead to the development of coronary heart disease. Knowing about the most common risk factors explained below can help you to keep away heart problems.
Heredity
People who have a history of heart issues in their family are at a much higher risk of developing heart disease. Genetics can play a part in causing heart problems. Heart disease is one of those medical conditions that run in the family.
Race
Some races are more prone to developing heart disease than others. For example, African Americans are at a very high risk of developing heart disease, closely followed by Mexican Americans and American Indians. The risk of suffering from heart problems is the least in Caucasians.
Age
Elderly people are at an increased risk of developing heart problems when compared to the younger population. Decreased muscle mass, inactive lifestyle, obesity, and the presence of certain medical conditions are some of the main reasons why older people are more prone to heart disease. Health problems like high blood pressure and diabetes are very common among older people. Both these health issues are known to contribute to the development of heart disease.
Obesity
Obesity is one of the main risk factors in not only adults, but also in children and teenagers. Obesity has gone on to become one of the major health concerns, especially in developed countries. Being obese or overweight significantly increases your chances of suffering from heart problems. This is because in obese people, increased amount of pressure is inserted on the heart, thereby increasing their vulnerability to cardiac diseases.
Smoking
Men and women who smoke cigarettes are about four times more likely to suffer from heart problems than non smokers. In fact, smoking is the most common cause of cardiac arrest in younger population. A smoker’s risk of developing heart disease increases even more if they also drink too much alcohol. Quitting smoking completely is necessary since even passive smoking can cause cardiovascular problems.
Sedentary Lifestyle and Poor Diet
Inactive lifestyle is another big factor that contributes to the development of heart problems. People who have no time to exercise or perform any kind of physical activity are at an increased risk of heart disease and many other health issues. Similarly, unhealthy diet that involves plenty of high fat foods raises the risk of heart issues.
Although you cannot have any control over heredity, race, and age, necessary steps can be taken for controlling other risk factors. Giving up unhealthy habits before it’s too late can prevent the development of heart disease. Workout for at least twenty to thirty minutes each day, perform yoga to ease stress, quit smoking, start developing healthy eating habits, and maintain a proper sleep patter. All these healthy habits can make a huge difference to your overall health.
Taking measures to control the risk factors mentioned above will not only help to control heart disease to a certain extent, but will also bring an improvement in your general health and well-being.