One out of every three deaths in the United States is caused by cardiovascular disease. That works out to about 2,200 Americans dying of cardiovascular disease every day, or one death every 40 seconds, according to the American Heart Association.

It’s all too easy to think we won’t be affected by something as dramatic as a heart attack or stroke, but those numbers tell a different story. It’s time to learn about the risks of cardiovascular disease, and what we can do to help keep ourselves — and our family and friends — heart-healthy and strong.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Researchers and cardiologists break risk factors into three different groups:

1. Major risk factors that can’t be changed, such as family history or aging
2. Modifiable risk factors that you can address with medication or healthy choices
3. Contributing risk factors that researchers haven’t yet linked directly to cardiovascular disease, but still impact your overall heart health

Major Risk Factors

Major risk factors cannot be changed with diet, exercise or medication. The more major risk factors someone has, the higher their risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Major risk factors include:

• Aging: Age becomes a risk factor for men age 45 and older and women age 55 and older
• Men: Though cardiovascular disease is a serious health threat to women, men more still more likely to suffer — and die from — cardiovascular disease.
• Family History: If you have a family history of premature heart disease, heart attack or stroke (defined as onset for male family members under age 55 or female family members under age 65), you are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Ethnicity: The risk of heart disease is often higher among African-Americans, Mexican Americans, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians and some Asian Americans.

If you have several major risk factors, talk with your doctor so you can develop a plan to manage your modifiable or contributing risk factors.

Modifiable Risk Factors

The good news is there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of heart disease. That includes learning about the risk factors you can manage, and take steps to address each of your modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Those include:

• Smoking: If you smoke or use tobacco, quit. Smoking can drastically increase your risk of heart disease, and also increase your loved ones’ risk if you smoke around them. Tanner’s Get Healthy, Live Well offers free Freshstart tobacco cessation classes to help you quit.
• High Cholesterol Levels: Schedule a physical at least once a year so your doctor can monitor your cholesterol levels. High cholesterol can indicate fatty lipids are building in your arteries, which will restrict blood flow.
• High Blood Pressure: If you have high blood pressure or if high blood pressure runs in your family, be sure to take your blood pressure medications as prescribed. Uncontrolled blood pressure also increases your risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Physical Inactivity: Regular physical activity can help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. Aim for at least 150 minutes every week, which works about to about 30 minutes a day, five days a week.
• Obesity and Overweight: Being obese or overweight can also increase your risk of heart attack. Work with your doctor to create a weight loss plan that’s safe and effective for you.
• Diabetes: According to research, roughly 68 percent of people with diabetes over the age of 65 die from cardiovascular disease.

Contributing Risk Factors

Researchers are continuing to study additional risk factors that may play a part in your heart health. Talk to your doctor if you have any of these risk factors, in addition to modifiable or major risks:

• High stress levels
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Poor diet and nutrition

Take control of your heart health and schedule an appointment to discuss your risk factors for cardiovascular disease. To find a physician near you, call our free, 24-hour physician referral line at 770-214-CARE (2273) or select “Find a Provider” at tanner.org.

Tanner Heart & Vascular Specialists has locations in Bremen, Carrollton, Villa Rica and Wedowee. For more information, visit HeartAndVascularSpecialists.org or call 770-812-9326.