Exercise is key to reducing heart disease risk, says Parkland cardiologist
Belly fat is big warning sign
More than 11 percent of adults in the U.S. have been diagnosed with heart disease and it’s the number one cause of death for both men and women. But despite major medical advances in treating heart disease, the best medicine is still prevention, according to James de Lemos, MD, senior cardiologist at Parkland Health & Hospital System and Professor of Medicine and Distinguished Chair in Cardiology at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
“There’s one single thing all of us can and should do to prevent all forms of heart disease – get up and get moving,” Dr. de Lemos said. “The evidence is overwhelming that exercise reduces risk of heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure and other types of heart conditions. And even if an individual is overweight or obese, improving your fitness level markedly improves the prognosis and outcomes for people with heart disease.”
In short, Dr. de Lemos said, “It’s much more important to be fit than to be thin.”
During American Heart Month in February, Parkland experts are urging everyone to “know their numbers,” including their total cholesterol, glucose, body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure numbers to help reduce their risk of developing heart disease. And just as importantly, Dr. de Lemos said, everyone should find a way to fit exercise into their schedule.
Your workout doesn’t have to be vigorous to be beneficial, Dr. de Lemos added. “You don’t have to be working up a sweat in a gym to help your heart. Walking 30 minutes a day five or six days a week can remarkably lower one’s risk of heart disease.”
Other lifestyle changes that are important for reducing the risk of heart disease include smoking cessation; using alcohol in moderation; eating a heart-healthy diet that is low in cholesterol, sugar, salt and saturated and trans fats; managing blood pressure; and reducing stress.
However, not all heart disease risks can be eliminated, Dr. de Lemos acknowledged. Heredity also plays a role, so it’s important to know your family history and alert your physician about relatives who developed heart disease and what type of heart problems they had. Heart disease respects no ethnic or gender boundaries although people of African and South Asian descent are at somewhat higher risk of developing certain types of heart conditions. Post-menopausal women are at higher risk than younger women.
It’s also important to know the symptoms of a heart attack and not ignore them. Heart attacks don’t always cause dramatic and severe chest pain; instead, they may cause a feeling of heaviness in the jaw, arm, back or chest, shortness of breath, nausea or unusual fatigue.
“The most important message is to take care of yourself for all the people you love and care about,” Dr. de Lemos said. “Be proactive. Eat a heart-healthy diet. Stop smoking. And find time to exercise every day. Do it for your children and grandchildren.”
Learn more about cardiac care at Parkland.
Back