Health still smoke and Health Canada reports that, in 2002, smoking was responsible for almost half of all deaths from coronary heart disease among Canadians under the age of 45 years. Smokers are up to four times more likely to have a sudden cardiac death than non-smokers. Cholesterol: A high blood cholesterol level is one of the major risk factors for both coronary heart disease and stroke. Most of us have had our blood cholesterol levels taken from time to time − often from our 40s and even earlier, if other risk factors are present. There are two types of cholesterol, LDL (low density lipoprotein) which is the bad cholesterol and HDL (high density lipoprotein) which is the good cholesterol. Another type of fat that’s measured is triglycerides. If LDL cholesterol and/or triglycerides are found to be above normal levels, there is an increased risk of developing atherosclerosis − the buildup of thick deposits on the inner walls of arteries restricting the normal flow of blood. The result can be a heart attack, a stroke or impaired circulation to the legs. Changing your diet by reducing the intake of foods which come from animals − such as redmeat, eggs and dairy products, including whole milk, cream and ice cream−may help, but medication is usually needed to lower the readings to a safe level. Many tropical oils, such as coconut and palm oils which contain saturated fat, can also contribute to elevation of LDL cholesterol. The common drugs prescribed to control elevated cholesterol are the statin drugs such as Lipitor, Crestor and Zocor. Diabetes control: Type 1 diabetes usually starts in adolescents, is often hereditary and requires the lifelong use of insulin to control blood sugar levels. The more common Type 2 diabetes usually begins in adulthood and is most commonly controlled with oral medication such as Metformin. Type 2 diabetes more commonly develops in persons who have gained too much weight and are physically inactive. Weight reduction and improving lifestyle are important initiatives in not only controlling the disease, but also reducing the many risks of poorly controlled blood sugar levels including heart attack and stroke. Blood pressure: A major risk factor for heart disease is high blood pressure and it’s the number-one risk factor for stroke. When blood pressure readings are higher than normal, the heart works harder to pump blood through the blood vessels and heart enlargement can occur. Maintaining a normal range for your blood pressure reduces the risk for both stroke and heart damage. Although dietary and lifestyle changes may improve your blood pressure, most persons so affected will require daily medication which most often will reduce the levels to normal. Most readings should be lower than 120/80; the risk from readings is considered medium at levels above that and is considered high at 135/85 and over. Diabetics especially should strive to maintain normal levels. Although a physician or nurse practitioner should be monitoring your levels, everyone who is being treated should be using a home blood pressure cuff to document regular readings. Sleeping: Sleep duration has now been seen as a factor in cardiovascular health. For adults, the ideal level of sleep is 7-9 hours per night. Unfortunately, many seniors in particular don’t get that amount and others do not sleep soundly, often waking to void. All of the measures well known to possibly improve sleep should be adopted by such persons, including strict limits on daytime naps, increasing physical activity, possible dietary changes, keeping regular sleep hours and sleeping in totally quiet environments. If insomnia still persists, seek medical advice. Medication has only limited use in longterm insomnia because of its habit-forming risk and side-effects. All of us should try and follow these recommendations in order to achieve the best cardiovascular health that we can. For those with one or more of the health conditions listed, it is even more important that you adhere to the recommendations to reduce the risk of developing or extending the degree of damage to your heart. With the national reduction in the use of tobacco, the improvement in pharmacotherapy and surgical procedures, as well as the preventive steps that can be taken, we should all be enjoying better cardiovascular health. 40 | www.snowbirds.org
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