Prevention

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There are things you can do to help prevent heart disease. Controlling risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes and smoking can greatly reduce the likelihood of developing heart disease. Reducing your heart disease risk is not easy. It takes hard work and dedication to eliminate habits and diet patterns that increase your chance of developing heart disease.

What puts you at risk?

• Family history of heart disease at a young age – father or brother before age 55; mother or sister before age 65
• Age – men 45 years and older; women 55 years and older (or after menopause)
• Binge drinking or drinking more than two drinks per day for men or one drink per day for women
• Abnormal cholesterol levels – high total cholesterol, high levels of LDL (“bad” cholesterol) or low levels of HDL (“good” cholesterol)
• High triglyceride level
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Diabetes
• Being overweight or obese, with a waist circumference of more than 40 inches in men and 35 inches in women (metabolic syndrome)
• Diet low in fiber
• Sleep apnea
• Inflammation
• Poor management of stress
• Smoking
• Physical inactivity

Learn the special risk factors for heart disease in women.

Take a step toward better health

• Schedule a heart disease risk screening 
• Know the warning signs of heart disease
• Know the warning signs of a heart attack
• Attend Circle of Hearts free wellness and education classes
• Find heart-healthy recipes

To find a physician visit our Find a Doc or call (502) 629-1234 for a physician referral.