New Advice For Preventing Heart Attacks, Cardiovascular Disease
From the American College of Sports Medicine heart health may be better protected and maintained with more recognition to the benefits of preventive measures – especially exercise. John Quindry, Ph.D., FACSM says people should be more aware of their heart attack risk factors, and fully realize the potential that preventive activity has for longevity and cardiovascular health, rather than relying solely on drug intervention. Risk factors can be divided into two segments: modifiable and non-modifiable.
Non-modifiable risk factors
Age (45+ for males, 55+ for females)
Family history of heart disease
Modifiable risk factors
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Cigarette smoking
High cholesterol
Poor diet
Sedentary lifestyle
Comment: There is nothing new in this advice, only the plea from one more source to realize that our behaviors lead to poor health, and that prescription drugs are not an adequate substitute. Unfortunately there is little that is easy about modifying behaviors. Healthy behaviors have to start with family role modeling and reinforcement in school.
