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| Cardiologist Tarek N. El-Sherif, MD, FACC of Robinwood Heart |
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It should not be news to you. Smoking, obesity, an inactive lifestyle and high blood pressure all pave the way to cardiovascular disease. Year after year, heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. Yet when it comes to the contributors of cardiovascular disease, the list continues to grow.
“While most of the focus has been on treating major heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure, obesity and smoking, it is clear that there are other factors involved,” explained Tarek El-Sherif, MD, FACC, and cardiologist at Robinwood Heart Center. According to Dr. El-Sherif, sleep apnea, for one, is an under-diagnosed and common disease that has been linked to both heart and lung disease. Sleep apnea occurs when a person stops breathing during sleep for ten seconds or longer. It can cause problems in the cells lining the blood vessels, and potentially damage the heart.
“We’ve also learned that inflammation plays an important role in heart disease,” said Dr. El-Sherif. “People with persistent gum disease, psoriasis, lupus, and other chronic inflammatory conditions may be at a higher risk for a heart attack,” he added. Inflammation increases plaque in the arteries and leads to blocked blood vessels. A protein called C-reactive multiplies during injury or infection, causing inflammation. Studies have linked high levels of this protein with an increased risk for a heart attack.
Are you familiar with these indicators of heart disease? |
Unusual fatigue can sometimes mean a reduction of blood flow to the heart.
Pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes are often signs of future heart trouble. Pre-eclampsia can be a precursor to blood clotting or high blood pressure. Gestational diabetes enhances the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Vitamin D deficiency may intensify the development of high blood pressure and blood vessel inflammation.
Frequent migraine headaches, occurring in women and accompanied by a visual disturbance (flashing lights), can often signal a future stroke.
Too little sleep (five hours or less) can put women at risk of calcium build-up in their arteries. Seven to eight hours of sleep is recommended.
Clotting disorders such as deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins, and livedo reticularis (purplish discoloration of the skin) can bring about a stroke. |
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Risk factors often come in groups—like sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and obesity. “Your risk of having a stroke or heart attack goes down dramatically if you address your modifiable conditions,” said Dr. El-Sherif. Smoking, high blood pressure, extra weight, and sleep apnea are examples of things you can change (modifiable conditions). Examples of nonmodifiable conditions include a family history of heart disease and the aging process.
According to Dr. El-Sherif, avoiding cardiovascular disease boils down to common sense. He emphasizes the need for annual health check-ups, maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active and eating healthfully. “Everyone wants a quick fix—like taking over-the-counter supplements,” commented Dr. El-Sherif. “But you have to make tough decisions and lifestyle changes.”
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