February is heart month but doctors say taking care of your heart is a year-round job and it is important to be aware of risk factors or genetic predisposition to cardiac disease.
“Prevention is important and will help determine when to see a cardiologist,” says Evelina Grayver, MD, director of the coronary care unit at North Shore University Hospital.
People of all ages should follow four simple prevention steps:
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- Know your risk factors
- Eat well, choose small, balanced colorful meals
- Exercise 30 minutes a day, at least five days a week
- Have annual heart checkups and check cholesterol
Dr. Grayver points out there are five risk factors for heart disease, which should be addressed with your cardiologist:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Smoking history
- Genetics/family history for heart disease & high cholesterol
“Beyond that, there are no other high risk factors. However, an evaluation with your cardiologist will help determine if an individual is in a low, intermediate or high risk group, which will help in developing a lifestyle treatment plan,” said Dr. Grayver.
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If your thinking about taking aspirin, keep in mind men and women are very different, she says. “Men 40 plus with any risk factors should take 81miligrams (baby dose), while women need to have 2 or more risk factors (to take the same dose),” she said.
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