Preventing Heart Attacks (Cont.)

 
Controlling Blood Pressure
High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is another risk factor for heart attacks. About 50 million American adults have high blood pressure. The top number of a blood pressure reading, called the systolic pressure, represents the force of blood in the arteries as the heart beats. The bottom number, called diastolic pressure, is the force of blood in the arteries as the heart relaxes between beats. High blood pressure makes the heart work extra hard and hardens artery walls, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
 
A blood pressure level of 140 over 90 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) or higher is considered high. Recently set, the "prehypertension" level is any reading above 120 over 80 mmHg.
 
People with high blood pressure often have no high blood pressure symptoms, so have your blood pressure checked every one to two years. If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may suggest you make some lifestyle changes, such as eating less salt (see DASH Diet) and exercising more. Your doctor may also prescribe blood pressure medicine to help lower blood pressure.
 
(Click Lowering Blood Pressure for more information.)
 

Preventing Heart Attacks: Know Your Family's Medical History

For preventing heart attacks, it's important to know your family history of health problems related to coronary heart disease. If you or someone in your family has coronary heart disease, be sure to tell your doctor. Make sure everyone in your family is getting enough exercise and maintaining a healthy body weight.
 
(Preventing Heart Attacks Continued: Page 5)
Pages:

Previous 1   2   3   4   5   6 Next

Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD