Reduce risk factors
Some risk factors are not modifiable (hereditary factors, gender and age), while others can be effectively intervened on:
- Smoking: smoking damages the inner lining of the arteries, promoting the formation of plaque and subsequent reduction of the vessel lumen. To stop smoking is to derive a great health benefit.
- Hypertension (high blood pressure): when blood pressure is high, blood pushes too hard against the walls of the arteries, weakening their inner lining and promoting cholesterol deposition with plaque formation. Controlling blood pressure limits plaque growth and reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Hypercholesterolemia: high blood cholesterol levels promote atherosclerotic plaque formation. Physical activity combined with the use of certain medicines can keep cholesterol values at a safe level.
- Hyperglycemia (diabetes mellitus): very high blood glucose values can increase arterial damage. Keeping glycemic values under control (both fasting and after meals) means reducing the risk of atherosclerotic complications. Careful control of metabolic compensation requires a strict diet, the use of medications (oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin), and above all, careful and continuous home self-monitoring of blood glucose.
- Obesity: excess body weight can facilitate the onset of diabetes, hypertension, and increased blood fat levels. In cases of obesity or excess weight, even the loss of a few pounds can be helpful in promoting a virtuous cycle leading to mental and physical well-being. In these cases, it is important to set a dietary regimen low in saturated fats and combine it with moderate and constant physical activity.
- Sedentary lifestyle: physical activity helps reduce body weight, strengthens the heart, reactivates circulation, and seems to favorably influence fat and sugar metabolism. With physical activity, for example, levels of HDL cholesterol (the so-called good cholesterol) increase.
- Stress.
