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Risk Reduction for Heart & Vascular Disease

High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure raises your risk for heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. Since high blood pressure often goes undetected, schedule regular check-ups with your doctor. Know your target blood pressure. For most, the goal is less than 120/80. To control your blood pressure:

• Lose weight
• Reduce salt intake
• Start a regular exercise program
• Take prescribed medicine
• Quit smoking
• Reduce stress

Risk factors that can be modified include:

• High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart and vascular disease
• The American Heart Association has identified tobacco use to be the single most important risk factor for heart and vascular disease.
• High blood pressure raises your risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.
• Lack of regular exercise (sedentary lifestyle) increases your risk for heart and vascular disease
• Heart and vascular disease occurs at an earlier age and progresses faster in persons with diabetes.
• Excess Weight can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes and elevated cholesterol levels.
• Depression increases the likelihood that cardiovascular disease will develop and it predicts poorer recovery following a cardiac or vascular event. Depression also makes it more difficult to stop smoking and to engage in a healthy lifestyle.
• Stress can lead to increased heart rate and blood pressure and overeating.

Review Date: 01/07