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Risk Factors For Developing Heart Problems
There are several risk factors for developing heart disease; high LDL cholesterol is only one. Family history plays a major role. If your father had cardiac arrest or stroke prior to age 55 or your mother had heart disease or heart stroke prior to 65, you have a higher risk. The same increased risk factor applies if your siblings had cardiac arrest or strokes in those age brackets. Hypertension, cigarette smoking, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, being 30% or more over your ideal body mass (as determined by your Body mass index), metabolic syndrome, resulting in an inactive lifestyle, HDL of less than 40 mg/dL and women with early menopause all raise your heart attack and stroke risk factors. A previous personal history of any kind of cardiac event also puts you at a higher risk of experiencing a heart attack or heart stroke.
Offsetting factors
There are several positive factors that assist offset risk factors. High levels of HDL or "good" cholesterol are extremely beneficial in preventing heart problems or at least offsetting risk factors. The Framingham research and others have suggested that for every single point increase in HDL, there is a corresponding drop in your risk of having a heart attack by 2%-3%. Some of us are just plain lucky and are born with high HDL. Other people are not so lucky and struggle to increase their HDL and even with excessive physical exercise are helpless to raise it. HDL below 40 is regarded as a risk factor. HDL of more than 60 is considered a positive factor for heart disease. Total cholesterol readings are not the best measure of cardiovascular disease risk. Even though high HDL levels and low LDL levels are no guarantee, your risk factors are most assuredly lowered with high HDL and further reduced with low LDL levels. Overall or total high cholesterol levels are less accurate as a predictor but most often a high total cholesterol reading is due to high LDL.
Physical activity a precautionary for cardiovascular disease
Consistent exercise or work out is definitely a real and efficient way to reduce the risk of cardiac arrest and strokes. Cardio exercise is the most effective way to strengthen your heart muscle, raise HDL levels and lower blood pressure. To obtain the most heart health benefit out of any training session, you have to get your heart rate elevated. If you have not worked out for an extended time frame and otherwise lead a sedentary lifestyle, you should consult your health practitioner before starting any workout program. Once you have been given the go ahead you still need to start slow and increase your exertion at a rate you are comfortable with for two reasons. Firstly is your muscles as well as your heart require time to build up. Trying to accomplish it all at once will make you sore and might not be the best for your heart. Another factor to consider is that if you injure yourself by using muscles and tendons that are not accustomed to that kind of intense use, you may end up with injuries or be so sore that you don't feel like staying consistent with your exercise routine. Consistency is the most important factor. You will increase your conditioning quickly if you are regular with your newly found exercise session.
