Are You at Risk of Having a Heart Attack?

Are You at Risk of Having a Heart Attack??

Research has identified several factors that increase the risk of having a heart attack – a serious and potentially fatal medical emergency. The more of these risk factors you have, and the more severe they are, the higher the odds that you will have a heart attack.

To get an idea of your level of risk, answer our list of questions about heart attack risk factors.?

If you answer yes to some or all of these questions, you should visit your doctor as soon as possible for a thorough heart attack risk assessment and to discuss ways to lower your risk.?

Do you have a family history of heart attacks?

A family history of heart attacks can increase your risk of having one, especially if a parent, grandparent or sibling had a heart attack before the age of 55 for males and before the age of 65 for females. The risk factors that contribute to heart disease, such as high blood pressure or cholesterol, can also run in families.?

Do you smoke?

Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors for having a heart attack. That’s because smoking causesan instant and long-term rise in blood pressure and heart rate, reduces blood and oxygen flow to the heart, increases the risk of blood clots, and damages blood vessels – all of which can lead to a heart attack.?Even moderate smoking – as well as long-term exposure to secondhand smoke – can increase your risk.?

Do you have high blood cholesterol?

Cholesterol?is a type of fat found in your blood. There are two types of cholesterol: LDL – often called “bad” cholesterol – and HDL – which is “good” cholesterol. When your LDL levels are high, fatty deposits start to build up in your arteries, which reduces or blocks the flow of blood and oxygen to your heart.?This can cause a heart attack.

Do you have high blood pressure?

High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack in several ways. Firstly, high blood pressure damages and narrows arteries, which makes it difficult for blood to reach the heart. In addition, high blood pressure forces the heart to work harder to pump blood to the rest of the body. This causes the lower left heart chamber to thicken. Over time, the strain on the heart caused by high blood pressure weakens the heart muscle, making it work less efficiently and eventually causing it?to fail.

Are you overweight?

Being overweight or obese contributes to the development of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes – all of which are significant heart attack risk factors. In addition,?excess weight can lead to fatty deposits building up in your arteries.?If the arteries that carry blood to your heart become damaged and clogged, it can lead to a heart attack.?Even being somewhat overweight puts people at a higher risk of heart attack, and the risk increases, the more excess weight a person carries.?

Do you have diabetes?

Diabetes leads to high blood sugar levels, which?can damage your blood vessels?and the nerves that control your heart and blood vessels. Over time, this damage can lead to heart disease, including heart attack. In addition, people with diabetes are more likely to have certain risk factors, such as?high blood pressure?or high cholesterol, which further increases their chances of having a heart attack.

You think you’re at risk of having a heart attack? Now what?

If some or all of the above risk factors apply to you, it is vital to closely monitor and manage your heart health with the help of a doctor or cardiologist.?In addition, making positive lifestyle changes can significantly lower your risk.

Nammed supports heart health through comprehensive benefits that cover:

·???????GP and cardiologist consultations?

·???????Annual blood sugar and cholesterol screening?

·???????Chronic medication to manage risk factors and heart disease

·???????Dietician consultations for advice on heart-healthy nutrition??

To enjoy these and other great benefits, join Nammed today.?

Download the application form here >>>?https://bit.ly/32hJRQC?and send the completed form to?[email protected].?Or contact any of our offices for more information:

Windhoek: +264 61 374 600?

Swakopmund: +264 64 406 257/49?

Otjiwarongo: +264 67 302 274

Karibib: +264 64 550 551?

#Nammed #YourPartnerInHealth #HeartHealth