World Heart Day – Take Care of the Heart That Takes Care of You
Your heart works continuously, every minute of every day. Yet many of the conditions that place it at risk can develop quietly for years.
Cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes, remain a major cause of illness and premature death worldwide. The good news is that many important risk factors can be identified early and controlled.
Know Your Risk
Some of the most important risk factors for heart disease include:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes and high blood glucose
- High cholesterol and triglycerides
- Smoking
- Overweight and obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Unhealthy diet
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Family history of premature heart disease
- Increasing age
Having diabetes is particularly important. Over time, high blood glucose can damage blood vessels, while high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels frequently occur alongside diabetes. Together, these can significantly increase cardiovascular risk.
Know Your Numbers
You may feel perfectly well while having high blood pressure, diabetes or abnormal cholesterol.
Regular health checks can help identify these problems before complications develop.
Important measurements include:
Blood Pressure – High blood pressure places additional strain on the heart and blood vessels.
Blood Glucose and HbA1c – These help identify diabetes and assess longer-term glucose control.
Cholesterol Profile – LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides provide important information about cardiovascular risk.
Body Weight and Waist Circumference – Excess body fat, particularly around the abdomen, is associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Your doctor may recommend additional investigations depending on your age, symptoms, medical history and overall cardiovascular risk.
Small Changes Can Protect Your Heart
Heart health is not only about medical tests. Everyday choices matter.
Be physically active regularly. Choose more vegetables, fruits and other nutritious foods while limiting excess salt, sugar and unhealthy fats. Maintain a healthy body weight, avoid smoking and take prescribed medicines correctly.
If you already have diabetes, hypertension or high cholesterol, regular follow-up and good control are particularly important.
Don’t Wait for Symptoms
Prevention should begin before chest pain or other warning signs appear.
Knowing your blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol and overall cardiovascular risk gives you an opportunity to act early.
This World Heart Day, make time for the heart that never stops working for you.
Know your numbers. Know your risk. Protect your heart.
CDEM – Looking After Lives