This past weekend I was in Moncton with Shopper’s Drug Mart for their Shoppers LOVE. You. weekend and part of the weekend included the NB Heart Truth Gala in support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of New Brunswick. Because of that, I felt compelled to talk about heart health in this week’s video, and more specifically, the one risk factor for heart disease that you probably forget about.
May risk factors are things we can’t control – age, gender, family history, etc. But there are so many more we can do something about, and really lower our risk for heart disease and stroke.
The 1 Risk Factor of Heart Disease You Forget About
Risk factors you can do something about
- High Blood Pressure – is the #1 risk factor for stroke & a major risk factor for heart disease
- High Blood Cholesterol – modifications to your diet can significantly lower your cholesterol
- Smoking – smoking or exposure to 2nd hand smoke both put you at risk
- Diabetes – increases your risk of high blood pressure
- Being Overweight – losing weight can also lower cholesterol & high blood pressure
- Alcohol Consumption – Women should drink no more than 2 drinks/day up to 10/week max
- Physical Inactivity – being active can help prevent & manage high blood pressure
- Stress – stress can raise blood pressure & cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease & stroke
A bit more about stress…
Stress really causes physical changes in your body, changes that alter how your body works, and increase your risk for many diseases and ailments. If you live with stress or anxiety, I really urge you to look into different methods of managing your stress and anxiety. I am launching a new online program called “Yoga for Stress & Anxiety” and I would love for you to join! If you’d like to learn more, please click here.
But there are lots of great resources out there for stress management, and if my program doesn’t seem like a good fit for you, please do find a program or activity that will help you. I promise you, learning to manage your stress and anxiety will make such a difference in your life. Not only will it reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke, but it will also allow you to live a happier healthier life. <3