This World Heart Day, gear up to evaluate your cardiovascular risk zone.

Heart means much more to our bodies than just being a symbol of love. It circulates blood around our entire body, pumps it, sends hormones to other body parts, and maintains our blood pressure.
It is an essential organ in our body. So why do we not care for it when it does so much for us? Cardiovascular diseases significantly cause so many people to lose their lives each year. That is why you must be aware and care for your heart before it gets too late.

What is cardiovascular risk evaluation?

Cardiovascular risk evaluation is an assessment test that helps determine your heart disease risk. It suggests when the disease will occur and also tells about its intensity- whether low risk, intermediate risk, or high risk.
It will help you know the risk if you have never had a heart problem. It will find out your risk factors and chances of the disease. Then, you can make modifications according to the result and prevent the disease.

What factors do the doctors consider while accessing the cardiovascular risk zone?
The doctors ask a few questions to know how healthy your heart is!

  • They will ask about your age.
  • Consider your gender.
  • Take your blood pressure record and the medicines you take for it.
  • Whether you have diabetes or not.
  • Whether you smoke or you used to smoke in the past.
  • If someone else had any heart problem in your family.
  • Cholesterol levels.

Types of cardiovascular risk evaluators-

ASCVD risk calculator-
The atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Calculator is a fantastic tool for assessing the risk of heart disease in a person between the age of 40 to 79 years.
Atherosclerotic is a problem in which the arteries either harden or narrow. This problem can lead to heart disease. Therefore, it is essential to treat this issue.
It suggests ways to improve, whether you should work on your cholesterol or start taking blood pressure medicines and whether you must begin with aspirin therapy or not.

Reynolds risk score: It evaluates heart disease risk for people who do not have diabetes. Your doctor may ask for a blood test to determine the risk of coronary artery disease. People with diabetes are already at a higher risk of a heart attack.

Apart from this, your doctor may also conduct electrocardiogram tests to measure the electrical waves of your heart. And they might as well do the stress test as part of your cardiovascular assessment.

Who is at a higher risk of having the cardiovascular disease?

  • People who are overweight
  • Those who do not do much physical work.
  • People with high blood pressure
  • Family history, with people having a heart attack at an early age ( males less than 55 years and females less than 65 years )
  • If someone has diabetes
  • Unhealthy diet
  • High LDL-C
  • If you already had a cardiovascular problem
  • Cigarette smokers

How to reduce cardiovascular disease risk?
You can prevent cardiovascular diseases and maintain healthy by keeping in mind the following-

  • You should have a healthy diet. Do not take in saturated fats, too much oily food, or sugary substances. Instead, have a low-fat and high-fiber diet.
  • Include regular exercise or yoga in your routine. If you cannot work out, try to walk every day.
  • Quit smoking- it can reduce your risk of coronary heart disease.
  • Keep a check on your blood pressure levels. Then, take regular medicines for it if required.
  • Maintain your diabetes, and eat your medicines on time. If your doctor suggests you take insulin, please do not forget to take that on time.

You can work on your lifestyle and prevent cardiovascular disease before something unfortunate happens. Then why wait for it? This world heart day, buck up and evaluate your cardiovascular risk zone and keep a check on your body!

Content Reviewed by – Asian Hospital Medical Editors

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