Reduce your risk of Cardiovascular Disease!

First things first. What are the risk factors of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)?

Unmodifiable risk factors (The factors you have no control over)
- Family history of premature Cardiovascular Disease (less than 55 years in men and less than 65 years in women)
- Gender (Men at higher risk than females up to the age of 55)
- Advancing Age (Men 45 and up, Women 55 and up)
- Ethnic Characteristics (Individuals of African decent are at greater risk)

Modifiable risk factors (The factors you have control over)
- Smoking
- Diabetes (blood sugar disorder)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Dyslipidemia (blood lipid imbalance)
- Obesity, more specifically abdominal obesity (fat surrounding the internal organs of the abdominal cavity)
- Psychological factors (state of stress or depression)
- The consumption of Fruits and Vegetables (consume more fruits and vegetables)
- The consumption of Alcohol (Drink 1, but not more then 1 alcoholic beverage a day. Preferably red wine.)
- *** [Most Important]*** The amount of Physical Activity (exercise on a regular basis)

Research has indicated that with regular physical activity the risk of CVD notably decreases. This is because, regular physical activity helps reduce most of the modifiable risk factors associated with CVD. These risk factors include; diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity and abdominal obesity, and the psychological factors associated with being sedentary.

The three other modifiable risk factors (smoking, the consumption of fruits and vegetables, and the consumption of alcohol) can be corrected with a change in lifestyle habits.

Reduce your risk of CVD and maintain a healthy body by practicing healthy lifestyle habits, and by exercising regularly.


References

Advanced Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription, Fifth Edition, by Vivian H. Heyward, 2006, Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.