The lifestyle a person leads can directly influence a person’s chances of developing or not developing heart disease. Diet, nicotine, activity levels, stress levels, and alcohol consumption are all lifestyle choices that play a role in whether or not a person will develop heart disease in their lifetime.
What is Heart Disease?
Heart disease occurs in many forms. It can manifest itself in one or more of the following ways:
Arteriosclerosis: This form of heart disease occurs when the arteries become thick with plaque made from cholesterol and fat deposits. This plaque attaches itself to the walls of the arteries, causing them to harden and become less flexible.
Atherosclerosis:Atherosclerosis occurs when fat deposits within the arteries cause them to narrow, reducing the amount of blood that reaches the heart.
Angina: Angina is another term for chest pain and indicates the heart is not getting enough blood. There are several forms of angina – stable, which is the most common and goes away after a few minutes; unstable, which is the most dangerous and does not cease with rest. It is often followed by a heart attack. Variant angina is rare, occurs when a person is resting, but is relieved with medicine.
Heart Attack. A heart attack occurs when a blood clot or other form of blockage completely cuts off the supply of blood to a part of the heart. This is a life-threatening event that should be treated immediately.
While some forms of heart disease are hereditary, a person’s lifestyle plays a large impact on the likelihood of developing heart disease. Consider the following lifestyle habits that can have an effect on a person:
Diet. A diet that is high in fat and cholesterol can lead to high cholesterol and high blood pressure, two large factors in the development of heart disease. Eating a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables, protein, and whole grains can reduce the likelihood of developing the conditions that can lead to heart failure. Avoiding a diet that consists of a great deal of red meat and foods high in trans fat will also reduce a person’s risk.
Exercise. A sedentary lifestyle can contribute to weight gain and obesity, a contributing factor in the onset of heart disease. Excess weight causes the heart to constantly work harder than normal to pump blood throughout the body. Regular exercise can not only help maintain a healthy weight, but also curb the onslaught of high blood pressure and other factors that lead to heart disease.
Smoking. The link between smoking and heart disease is indisputable – a smoker’s chance of developing heart disease is up to four times greater than that of a nonsmoker. Chemicals in nicotine also reduce the amount of oxygen in the blood, thereby reducing oxygen needed by the heart.
Alcohol consumption. A high level of alcohol consumption has been linked to heart disease and high blood pressure. Aim for no more than two drinks a day as an absolute maximum.
Stress. Stress factors, such as job issues, family problems, and money woes are common stressors people face on a daily basis. However, too much stress has been linked to heart disease. It can lead to a higher blood pressure, chest pains, and heart attack. In addition, many people turn to unhealthy measures that can lead to heart disease in order to deal with stress. This can include eating for comfort, which leads to weight gain, smoking, or too much drinking, all lifestyle factors that can lead to heart disease.
Learning and practicing healthy lifestyle habits are an important factor in reducing the onset of heart disease.