Risk factors you can change - for a healthier heart
The lifestyle measures you may need to focus on in order to help prevent a heart attack or stroke will depend on your individual level of risk for developing heart disease. The higher your risk for cardiovascular disease, the more important it will be to take control of your risk factors.
Mild to moderate risk
If your risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years is mild to moderate, then your doctor, nurse or health professional will discuss lifestyle options with you. These may include what food is best for you, physical activity levels and stopping smoking.
Higher risk
If your level of risk is more than moderate, then your doctor, nurse or health professional will discuss lifestyle changes and may also discuss drug treatment options with you.
Taking a look at different risk factors
See the links below for more information on tackling the individual risk factors you may need to address, remembering that they all work together to affect your risk level.
See also:
Original material provided by the Heart Foundation of New Zealand and the New Zealand Guidelines Group, March 2010. Reviewed by everybody, February 2011.
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