What You Can Control

Control the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease causes nearly 20% of all deaths in the United States each year. And many of them could have been prevented by managing risk factors, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It’s true that you can’t control some risk factors, like age or family history of heart disease, for example. Fortunately, there are many risk factors you can control. Basic lifestyle choices can make a difference, moving these factors from the "red zone" (high risk) to the "green zone" (desirable).

The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Report guidelines provide many recommendations on ways to manage coronary heart disease risk. Feel free to explore what you can control and learn about the different ways you can start making a difference. The list below can help you work with your doctor as you start developing a plan to improve your heart health.

Lifestyle Counts

Certain lifestyle choices are in your control. Whether it’s developing a heart-healthy meal plan or finding the time to relax for 20 minutes a day, the changes you make can go a long way to helping reduce your risk. Get tips on easy ways you can improve your lifestyle.

Learn why lifestyle counts.

Risk Factors Count

Like lifestyle choices, there are other elements of your life you can control to help move from the "red zone" to the "green zone." For example, you can manage certain risk factors — like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and smoking — to help reduce your risk for heart disease. Below you’ll find a list of some of these factors. Take the time to learn more about each one and what you can do to start "getting to green."

Cholesterol
Blood pressure
Diabetes
Obesity
Smoking

Cholesterol

High cholesterol can cause a kind of "plaque" to build up in your arteries, putting you at risk for heart attack or stroke. Having high cholesterol along with other risk factors increases your risk of developing coronary heart disease. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to manage your cholesterol, like eating a healthy diet and living an active lifestyle.

Find out more about why cholesterol counts.

Blood Pressure

High blood pressure makes your heart work harder and increases your risk for heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. If you have other heart disease risk factors like high cholesterol, unmanaged high blood pressure can be even more dangerous. Learn how avoiding certain foods like salt and losing a little weight can help lower your blood pressure.

Learn more about why blood pressure counts.

Diabetes

People with diabetes should try to keep their blood sugar level as close as possible to a normal level. The closer to normal your blood sugar is, the lower the chances of developing serious heart health problems. Find out how a few dietary choices can help keep diabetes in check.

Learn why diabetes counts.

Obesity

If you’re overweight or obese, your chance of developing heart disease or having a stroke dramatically increases, even if you have no other risk factors. Find out if you are at your ideal weight and what steps you can take to start getting your weight under control.

Learn more about why obesity counts.

Smoking

Many long-term studies have found that smoking increases your risk of developing heart disease by more than five times. If you smoke, it’s important to try to quit. Ask your doctor to suggest a program that could help.

Learn more about why smoking counts.

As you can see, there are many ways to reduce your coronary heart disease risk. But the first step you should take is to talk to your doctor. He or she can help you chart your risks — to see if you’re in good shape, need to take action, or are in danger — and together you can plan your approach to keeping your heart healthy.