With heart disease being the single biggest killer of Australians, it’s important to know the risks and warning signs as the more risk factors you have, the bigger your chances of having a heart attack or stroke.
Although there are some factors that are out of your control, which may increase your risk of heart disease, many risk factors are preventable.
Warning signs for heart disease
Discomfort, pain, pressure in the chest – commonly mistaking for indigestion or heartburn
- Angina
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeats
- Heart beating fast
- Dizziness, nausea, sweating
Risk factors for heart disease that you can’t control
- Age – as we age the risk of heart disease increases
- Gender – in general, men are at higher risk of heart disease
- Family history – Genetics can impact your risk of heart disease so if there is a history in your family it is important to discuss this with your doctor
Controllable risk factors for heart disease
- Smoking greatly increases your risk of heart disease
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Managing diabetes poorly
- Being physically inactive is bad for your heart health.
- Being overweight increases your risk of heart problems.
- Poor diet. A healthy diet reduces your risk of heart disease and many of the above conditions associated with heart disease
If you experience any of these symptoms or live with any of the risk factors you should make an appointment with your GP to discuss your concerns and check your heart health.