Lifestyle Changes Can Transform Your Heart Health

High cholesterol and high blood pressure are chronic conditions that can lead to heart attacks, strokes and other forms of cardiovascular disease. The good news is that they are often preventable. Most people can lower their risk by adopting a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight. Even if you already have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, you can make changes now to lower your risk.

The Link Between High Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance in the blood. Our bodies make cholesterol, and we also get it from food. You've probably heard of good cholesterol, known as HDL (high-density lipoprotein), and bad cholesterol, known as LDL (low-density lipoprotein). Too much bad cholesterol can cause atherosclerosis or plaque buildup in the arteries.

Atherosclerosis makes arteries stiff and narrow, and the heart has to work harder to pump blood through them. This increased work by the heart leads to high blood pressure. Most patients don't have any symptoms until their blood pressure is significantly elevated. That's why high blood pressure is known as the “silent killer.” Before you even know you have it, the condition can damage your heart, kidneys, brain or eyesight and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.

How Diet and Exercise Can Lower Your Heart Disease Risk

Routine check-ups with your primary care provider can help you keep tabs on your blood pressure and cholesterol. If you are concerned about your risk for heart disease, it's time to start discussing with your provider the best steps in keeping you healthy.

Ijeoma Isiadinso, MD, director of heart disease prevention at Emory Heart & Vascular, encourages people to consider following a heart-healthy diet like the Mediterranean or DASH Diet. The Mediterranean diet is high in fiber, vegetables, fruits and fatty fish and low in red meats and processed and fatty foods. DASH, which stands for "dietary approaches to stop hypertension," is a well-studied diet that is low in sodium and scientifically proven to reduce blood pressure. Exercising and maintaining a healthy weight will also improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Medication can also help if your clinician feels that it is needed in order to control your blood pressure and cholesterol to reduce your risk of heart disease.

Some People Inherit High Cholesterol

It is important to understand that high cholesterol isn't solely caused by unhealthy food and lifestyle choices. It can also be inherited. Certain genetic types of high cholesterol can increase the risk of premature heart attacks and strokes. One misconception about genetic high cholesterol is that people will outgrow it. This is not true. People with this form of high cholesterol need medication, in addition to a heart-healthy lifestyle, to lower their LDL levels.