HEART
TOUR

MAJOR
RISK FACTORS

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

About the Heart
Structure
Right Atrium
Right Ventricle
Left Atrium
Left Ventricle

High Blood Pressure
Cigarette Smoking
High Cholesterol Levels
Lack of Exercise
Family History

Overweight
Diabetes
Stress

MAJOR RISK FACTORS

High Blood Pressure Recommended Blood Pressure in Adults (over 18 years of age): Under 140/90 mmHg Source: Citizens for Public Action on Blood Pressure and Cholesterol, Inc. As many as 58 million Americans have high blood pressure or "hypertension." It is significantly more common in Afro-Americans, middle-aged and elderly people, those who are severely overweight, heavy drinkers, women who take birth control pills and people with diabetes, gout or kidney disease. It is the leading cause of stroke and is also one of the major causes of heart disease. Foods high in sodium can contribute to elevated blood pressure. If left untreated high blood pressure can also damage your kidneys and other vital organs. These are a few positive steps you can take to lower your blood pressure: follow a low sodium diet. maintain normal body weight - or lose weight if you have to exercise manage your stress If these lifestyle modifications don't improve your high blood pressure, there are medications that can help control it - ask your physician.

Cigarette Smoking Tobacco use poses serious health risks. Quitting cuts the risks drastically. Tobacco use not only increases the likehood of developing heart disease that has been shown to increase the incidents of several forms of cancer - chewing tobacco, dipping snuff, or smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes, account for 80 to 90 percent of oral cancers. A number of studies have shown that cigar and pipe smokers have the same risk as cigarette smokers. As a cigar or pipe smoker, you should know that it is not a healthy alternative to smoking cigarettes. Most cigar or pipe smokers have been smoking for decades, so their risk of smoking-related diseases and illnesses is almost as high as cigarette smokers who have smoked for half as long. Also, there is a higher risk of esophageal cancer in cigar smokers. Source: US dept. of Health & Human Services, 1995 We offer Smoke Stoppers as a service to assist smokers in kicking the habit.

High Cholesterol Cholesterol Levels Total Blood (Serum) Cholesterol: Classification Less than 200 mg/dl Desirable 200-239 mg/dl Borderline High Greater than 240 mg/dl High Approximately 55% of Americans have a total cholesterol level of more than 200mgdl. Dietary measures are less likely to be effective if the triglyceride level is normal, though. A 10 percent reduction in cholesterol level results in a 20 percent reduction in future coronary risk. Aggressive life-style modification, including cholesterol reduction, can cause at least a little reversal of coronary artery blockage in about one of three people. Source: The Ultimate Guide to Heart Health - Mayo Clinic Heart Health Book, 1993 Cholesterol comes from two sources. It's made in your body, mostly in the liver. It's also found only in foods from animals, such as meats, poultry, fish, seafood and dairy products. There are two kinds of cholesterol - high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL). HDL is called "good" cholesterol because a high level seems to lower the risk of heart attack. LDL is known as "bad" cholesterol because an excess deposits in the walls of the arteries. Over time this deposit can clog the arteries leading to a heart attack. You should have your total cholesterol and HDL checked starting at around age 20. About 31 percent of American adults are in the borderline high risk group. The risk of heart attack doubles above 200. If your cholesterol is in this range, have it checked every one or two years. Also, modify your diet to lower your cholesterol to below 200. Source: American Heart Association

Lack of Exercise You should work out regularly and for lengths of time that are neither too strenuous nor too short. About 20 minutes, three times a week is the recommended schedule to keep. It is always important, however, to check with your health care professional before beginning to exercise. If you seldom or never exercise, you're putting yourself at major risk for heart disease. When you're physically active, you benefit in many ways. Physical activity benefits you by: increasing your lung/heart capacity cardiovascular fitness lower blood cholesterol weight control lower blood pressure more energy, positive attitude, better rest diabetes control weight bearing exercises strengthen your bones and reduce your risk of getting osteoporosis Source: American Heart Association

Family History If a primary member of your family (mother,father,sister,brother) had heart disease before the age of 55 years, you may have a genetic predisposition towards heart disease. Therefore it is imperative that you modify your lifestyle to lower and eliminate other possible risk factors.

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