How To know If Your Heart Is At Risk?

The risk of having a heart attack increases with age. The probability of having a heart attack is highest once a person is above the age of 60. However, other factors such as diet, lifestyle and exposure to stress also play an important role in determining the risk of having a heart attack. After your 50th birthday, you should ideally undergo a complete health check up on an annual basis.

Men have a higher risk of suffering from a heart attack than women. Women's risk of having heart trouble increases after menopause but still is not as high as men. However, the symptoms of a heart attack are more subtle in the case of women and hence have a higher probability of going unnoticed. Unexplained tiredness is one of the most characteristic symptoms of a heart attack in women. In addition do not ignore chest pain as this also is a common symptom of heart attacks.

Risk factors for heart attacks can be categorised as inherited and modifiable risk factors. Age, sex and race can be categorised as inherited risk factors and cannot be controlled. However, diet, lifestyle, exposure to stress etc can be managed and hence are categorised as modifiable risk factors. Eating right, getting regular exercise, meditating to reduce stress etc are some ways in which you can reduce your risk of having a heart attack. Tobacco smoke is a powerful risk factor when it comes to heart attacks. If you have a hereditary risk of heart diseases, quit smoking today.

Ideally you should exercise for at least half an hour a day. Exercise helps keep both the mind and body fit and reduces your risk of heart diseases. By maintaining your weight it helps prevent obesity and reduces the pressure on your heart. It also helps lower blood pressure and strengthens the heart muscles. Climbing the stairs instead of taking the elevator is an easy way to incorporate exercise in your daily routine without setting aside time separately for it.