HOW MANY OF THESE RISK FACTORS FOR HEART DISEASE DO YOU HAVE ?
Heart disease is caused by a variety of factors , such as obesity , diabetes , hypertension and genetics .
In order to reduce your risk for heart disease , you need to :
• be aware of the risk factors
• go for regular screening and tests
There are two types of risk factors : Non-modifiable and modifiable .
Non-modifiable risk factors These may increase your risk of heart disease but cannot be changed . These include age , gender , family history and race .
Modifiable risk factors Modifiable risk factors , on the other hand , can be addressed by changing your lifestyle habits .
TAKE THIS SHORT QUIZ TO ASSESS YOUR RISK . DO ANY OF THESE APPLY TO YOU ?
1 . I HAVE HIGH CHOLESTEROL
YES
NO
High cholesterol can contribute to the build-up of plaque that can clog the blood vessels leading to the heart . This can cause narrowing and the potential blocking of blood flow to the heart . If you have elevated levels of LDL and triglycerides , and low levels of HDL cholesterol , you are at more than twice the risk of developing heart disease .
A screening test will help your doctor to determine your levels of cholesterol .
2 . I HAVE DIABETES
YES
NO
Diabetes occurs when your body cannot process glucose properly and the blood sugar levels become too high . If you have diabetes , you are two to four times more likely to die from heart disease than those who don ’ t have diabetes .
Visiting your doctor for a screening test will help to determine your blood sugar levels and verify how at-risk you are of developing diabetes .
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Bonitas Member Magazine Issue 3 | 2021