Your Risk of Heart Disease

Heart Disease Risk Factors

Some risk factors, including your age, gender, ethnicity and family history, are beyond your control. But you can avoid many cardiac conditions by following the American Heart Association’s advice on preventive care for heart disease.

Live a Healthy Lifestyle

Be active. Each week, get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise, like walking, swimming or yoga, or 75 minutes of intense aerobic exercise, in which you start sweating after a few minutes. Physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Limit alcohol use to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. Too much alcohol can lead to high blood pressure, obesity and other health problems, in addition to heart disease.

Maintain a healthy weight to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, two heart disease risk factors.

Reduce stress with compassionate mental health care. Stress contributes to high blood pressure, high cholesterol and unhealthy behaviors that make heart disease more likely.

Manage Chronic Conditions

Control your blood pressure by eating healthfully, exercising and avoiding tobacco products and smoking. High blood pressure harms your blood vessels, making your heart work harder.

Manage diabetes with personal guidance from OSF Medical Group. Without proper management, diabetes can shorten your life if you have heart disease.

Regulate your blood cholesterol by eating a healthy diet, exercising and avoiding smoking and tobacco.