TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) -- February is Heart Month, and all month long on WTXL Sunrise, we're talking about the important things you need to know.
Dr. Jeffery Snyder from Capital Regional Medical Center joined with with a closer look at risk factors.
Age. Aging increases your risk of damaged and narrowed arteries and weakened or thickened heart muscle. Dr. Snyder says staying active is key to prevention any age-related risks, using his 92-year-old mother who rides her bike almost everyday.
Family history. A family history of heart disease increases your risk of coronary artery disease, especially if a parent developed it at an early age.
Smoking. Nicotine constricts your blood vessels, and carbon monoxide can damage their inner lining, making them more susceptible to atherosclerosis. Dr. Synder says you should avoid smoke and secondhand smoke.
Poor diet. A diet that's high in fat, salt, sugar and cholesterol can contribute to the development of heart disease. An easy way to make better food choices is swapping out some ingredients for healthier options. You should try to follow dietary recommendations from the American Heart Association, and look for items at the grocery store that have the heart icon on the packaging to show they're heart healthy.
High blood pressure and cholesterol levels. High levels of cholesterol in your blood can increase the risk of formation of plaques and atherosclerosis. High blood pressure can often lead to heart attack and heart failure. Untreated high blood pressure damages your arteries.
For more information, call (850) 325-5000 or click here.
This week, Capital Regional Medical Center is continuing its Seminar Series with a discussion on hypertension. That's scheduled for Wednesday, February 17 at 6:30 p.m. To register, call (850) 325-3627.
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