Page 21 - Mended Hearts-HeartGuide
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LIFESTYLE AND RISK FACTORS OF CORONARY HEART DISEASES
Blood Pressure Age – The older you are, the more likely you are
to develop high blood pressure, especially past the
Blood pressure refers to the amount of force your age of 60.
heart has to use to push blood through your arteries.
If the arteries become clogged, narrowed, or otherwise Risk Factors You Can Control
damaged, the heart has to use more force to pump
the blood your body needs. This condition is called Weight and obesity – The body mass index (BMI) is a
hypertension, which simply means that your blood measurement of your weight in relation to your height. It
pressure is too high. gives health care teams an idea of whether or not you’re
overweight or obese. You’re considered overweight if
Blood pressure is measured by two numbers: you have a BMI of 25 to 29.9, and obese if your BMI is
30 or higher. Ask your health care team about your BMI,
Systolic – If your blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg, and what you can do to reduce it if you need to.
the first (top) number is called the systolic number. It
signifies the pressure your arteries bear during Physical inactivity – Try to get at least 30 minutes of
a heartbeat. moderate to vigorous physical activity on most days.
Ask your doctor how you can start a simple exercise
Diastolic – The second (bottom) number shows how program that’s right for you.
much pressure your arteries bear when the heart is
resting between beats. How much salt you eat – Too much sodium in
your diet can increase blood pressure. Keep your salt
Optimal is less than 120 systolic/80 diastolic. intake to a minimum, and read food labels to see how
much sodium is in the foods you buy. Patients with
Risk Factors You Can’t Control established hypertension (systolic blood pressure
of 140 or greater) should limit their daily sodium
Race – African-Americans are more likely to develop intake to less than 1,500 mg per day. More severe
high blood pressure than Caucasians. salt restriction may be needed if you require multiple
medications to control hypertension.
Heredity – If close relatives (i.e., parents, brothers,
and sisters) have high blood pressure, you’re more
likely to develop it, too.
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