5 Major Factors That Make Your Ticker Stop Ticking

Written by Dr. Ross Walker and Swizter Daily.  

There are five major or primary risk factors for heart disease:

1. Some abnormality in blood fats and, in particular, cholesterol.
2. High blood pressure which is typically a pressure consistently above 135/85. Up to the age of 50, the lower pressure is more important but over the age of 50, the higher pressure is typically more linked to cardiac risk.
3. Cigarette smoking. The more you smoke, the more you are at risk.
4. Diabetes, or a tendency to diabetes known as insulin resistance, which is closely aligned with metabolic syndrome. 
5. Having a family member who has some form of cardiovascular disease typically before the age of 60.

A study of 14,000 people over the age of 20, over a 12  year period of follow up, has detected another vitally important risk factor for heart disease. It appears that insufficient sleep is probably as damaging to the cardiovascular system as cigarette smoking.

In this study, the researchers recognised four traditionally healthy lifestyle behaviours, -  a healthy diet, regular exercise, drinking alcohol in moderation and not smoking. It was found that those who practice all four of these behaviours have a 57% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 67% lower risk of dying from a cardiac event.

If you have seven hours or more quality sleep a night, this boosted the overall protective benefit, leading to a 65% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a staggering 83% lower risk of fatal cardiac events.

Good quality sleep rejuvenates the body for the next day by allowing the vital organs, including the heart and blood vessels to slow down and have a rest. 

This post was written by Dr. Ross Walker and Swizter Daily.  It was first published on Switzer Daily on the 7th of March 2018.