ALMOST everyone who suffers a heart attack, stroke or heart failure shows warning signs has warning signs well before their first event, a major study has revealed.
Scientists from the US found more than 99 per cent of patients had at least one risk factor above healthy levels long before their first cardiac event.
High blood pressure and cholesterol are behind heart attacks and strokes[/caption]
They said the four danger signs are high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, elevated blood sugar and smoking.
The findings, pulled from health records of more than nine million adults in South Korea and nearly 7,000 in the US, push aside the myth that heart disease often strikes without warning.
Professor Philip Greenland, senior author from Northwestern University in Chicago, said: “We think the study shows very convincingly that exposure to one or more non-optimal risk factors before these cardiovascular outcomes is nearly 100 per cent.
“The goal now is to work harder on finding ways to control these modifiable risk factors rather than to get off track in pursuing other factors that are not easily treatable and not causal.”
High blood pressure was by far the most common culprit, showing up in over 95 per cent of patients in South Korea and more than 93 per cent in the US before their first heart attack or stroke.
Even women under 60, a group often assumed to be at lower risk, were affected, with more than 95 per cent showing at least one danger sign.
Dr Greenland added: “The myth that cardiovascular disease often occurs without warning signs needs to be refuted.
“We should focus our attention on detecting and managing these very common, modifiable risk factors.”
The research, published today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, comes as cardiovascular disease remains the world’s leading cause of death.
An estimated 19.8 million people die from heart and circulatory disease each year worldwide, nearly one in three deaths.
In the UK, it kills around 170,000 people annually, or one every three minutes.
Experts regular blood pressure checks, quitting smoking and controlling cholesterol and blood sugar could prevent thousands of cases every year.
How to reduce your risk of heart attacks and stroke
YOU can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke with many of the same methods.
Heart attacks and strokes, although affecting different organs of the body, are both what we call cardiovascular events.
Both arise from similar underlying conditions, such as atherosclerosis —a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries.
According to the American Heart Association, the risk factors for heart attacks and strokes are largely the same: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity and diabetes.
Therefore, addressing these risk factors can simultaneously reduce the risk of both conditions.
Here are ways you can prevent the two:
Healthy diet
- More fruit and veg: The DASH, which emphasises fruit, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins, has been shown to reduce blood pressure and improve heart health.
- Less fats: Too much saturated and trans fats can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of atherosclerosis. Go for healthier fats like those found in olive oil, nuts, and avocados.
- Limit salt: High salt intake is linked to high blood pressure, a major risk factor for both heart attack and stroke. The NHS recommends no more than 6g of salt per day for adults.
- Fibre: Foods high in soluble fibre, such as oats and beans, can help lower cholesterol levels.
Exercise
Walking, running, cycling, swimming – whatever you like, do it!
Aerobic exercise can strengthen the heart and improve circulation.
The NHS advises at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week.
Strength training exercises can help control weight, improve cholesterol levels, and reduce blood pressure. It is recommended twice a week by the NHS.
Manage blood pressure
Healthy diet and exercise can help keep your blood pressure in check.
But it is worth monitoring it yourself after the age of 40, at least, when the NHS invites adults for a check-up every five years.
High blood pressure often has no symptoms but significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Quit smoking
One of the best ways to quit smoking is to use resources provided by NHS Smokefree. Support groups, medications, and other tools to help quit smoking such as vapes could be what you need to kick the habit for good – and it’s free.
Limit booze
Excessive alcohol consumption can increase blood pressure and contribute to weight gain, which can snowball and become a heart health risk.
The NHS recommends not regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol per week.
