In AFM’s February article “Protecting Heart Health for all Ages and Genders,” Dr. Stanley Wang, clinical cardiologist and director of the Sleep Disorders Center at Heart Hospital of Austin, provided information about how Heart Hospital of Austin works with patients to prevent and treat heart disease. Dr. Wang said that some factors in heart health are outside a patient’s control; however, several factors can be controlled and making modifications will improve an individual’s heart health. Here is Dr. Wang’s complete list of modifiable risk factors with further explanation:

• Obesity (or being overweight). Being overweight is closely linked to many very serious health conditions, including heart disease and stroke. Fortunately, even modest reductions in weight can help improve these conditions. Everyone’s body is different. Practicing the behavioral changes of a healthier diet (with regular exercise) can reduce these risk factors even without weight loss.

• Poor nutrition. A healthy diet should include plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains, while avoiding foods that are high in saturated fat, cholesterol, trans fat, sugar and salt. Also, limiting total calories to a reasonable amount is important for maintaining a healthy weight. Alcohol intake should also be limited to a moderate level (two or fewer drinks per day for men and one or fewer drinks for women and older adults).

• Low physical activity. Studies have shown that people who can do at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day have a lower risk of having heart disease. Some good choices include walking, cycling, jogging and swimming.

• Smoking. Do not smoke. If you do smoke, quit. Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for heart disease. Non-smokers should also avoid second-hand smoke. Quitting smoking is one of the most daunting challenges you'll face in your life, but it is also one of the most rewarding challenges to overcome.

• High blood pressure. High blood pressure is known as the “silent killer” because it can damage your body long before you feel any related symptoms. Eating a healthy diet, exercising and minimizing salt and alcohol intake are just some ways to help control your blood pressure. Weight loss and treatment of sleep problems are important as well. Some people may also need medication to control blood pressure.

• Diabetes. Controlling blood glucose, along with controlling other cardiovascular disease risk factors are important steps in treating diabetes, since diabetes can cause damage to the heart and blood vessels. Eating well, exercising and taking medicines can help with this. If you do not have diabetes, maintaining a healthy weight can lower your chance of developing diabetes.

• High LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol. Since it is not always possible to see heart disease developing, measuring cholesterol levels is a way for you and your doctor to determine your risk of developing heart disease. It may be necessary for your physician to prescribe medicines, such as statins, to lower “bad” cholesterol. Overall cholesterol should be lower than 200 mg/dl; LDL should be lower than 100 mg/dl (or lower in certain patients).

• Low HDL, or “good,” cholesterol. HDL, or “good” cholesterol can, essentially, “pick up” cholesterol in your blood and take it to your liver where it is broken down. The higher your HDL level, the less "bad" cholesterol you will have in your blood. HDL should be higher than 40 mg/dl for men and 50 mg/dl for women.

• Stress. Stress can cause or exacerbate some of the symptoms of coronary artery disease.

• Poor dental hygiene. Poor dental hygiene can cause bacteria from your gums to get into your blood. There is growing evidence that hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis, is related to infection and inflammation.

• Sleep disorders. Increasing evidence has linked heart disease with sleep disorders, especially sleep apnea. Studies show that sleep apnea can contribute to many heart problems, ranging from high blood pressure to advanced conditions such as congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Heart Hospital of Austin’s Sleep Disorders Center has been developed specifically to address sleep problems in patients who have heart disease or are at risk for developing it.