Are you in an at risk category for heart disease and if so, what can you do about it? Let’s find out.

We know that the way we treat our bodies has a huge impact on our health. However, we may be naturally more inclined to measure health on our physical appearance, without considering what’s going on inside our bodies.

Now, don’t get us wrong, the way you look in the mirror may help you spot signs of health or mistreatment, but your reflection can only tell you so much. When it comes to heart health, you need to be aware of lifestyle factors that may either increase or reduce your risk of heart disease.

Body Fat Percentage and Heart Disease

Your body fat percentage has a great impact on your heart health (as it does every aspect of your health). The amount of fat you carry around your torso is particularly important. This is because fat stored around your torso may be deeper fat that covers your organs. This type of fat is called visceral fat, and having too much of it can put strain on your vital organs, including your heart.

Being a slave to the scales isn’t always healthy, but it’s important to know your body fat percentage and what’s considered healthy for your size, age and sex. You can get this measured at your GP surgery, by a personal trainer or qualified fitness practitioner, or with a special weighing scale, such as the FeelFit scale. Find out more about body fat percentage and some rough guidelines here.

If you believe you are over a healthy weight and body fat, we can help. Take our quick online consultation to check whether you’re eligible for a Men2BeHealth prescription.

Smoker Status and Heart Disease

Okay, it’s 2022, you know this. Smoking damages your blood vessels, affecting your heart, brain and other organs. If you smoke, you’re:

  • Three times more likely to die of a heart attack
  • Two times more likely to die of stroke, and
  • Three times more likely to die from sudden cardiac arrest.

Don’t panic, it’s not too late to improve your odds. When you quit smoking, these risks begin to decrease almost immediately. If you’re ready to quit, you can find our Essential Stop Smoking Guide, or click here for more information about quitting with the support of Men2BeHealth.

Alcohol Intake and Heart Disease

Limiting your alcohol intake can help you reduce your risk of heart disease. Over time, heavy drinking can increase your blood pressure and heart rate, as well as weaken your heart muscle. This puts a lot of strain on the heart.

If you drink, you should stick within the recommended amount, which is no more than 14 drinks a week. If you drink as much as this, you should try to spread those units over at least 3 days, so you’re not getting too much alcohol at once. For more information on working out alcohol units, visit the NHS website.

Health Conditions

Certain health conditions may put you at a higher risk of developing heart disease, making it even more important to lead a healthy lifestyle. These conditions include:

  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Mental health issues, such as stress and anxiety

Genetics

Your ethnic background is a factor in your risk of developing heart disease. If you’re from South Asian, Middle Easter, Maori or Pacific Islander descent, your risk is increased.
You are also at a greater risk of heart disease if a close family member has experienced it, too.

If you’re concerned that you may be at risk and want to take action to protect your health, speak to your GP, or consider altering your lifestyle to give yourself the best chance of staying healthy.