Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are one of the leading causes of death worldwide, but how do you know if you are at risk of developing the disease?

According to the Heart Foundation of Jamaica, more than 17 million people die globally due to cardiovascular diseases. There is also a high prevalence of CVD risk factors in Jamaica.

Dubbed the ‘silent’ killer by medical professionals, CVD is a life threatening health condition that often does not not present with a symptom until it has reached a critical stage. As such, screening is necessary for prevention and early detection.

February is Heart Month, which will this year be observed under the theme ‘Do Your Part, Check Your Heart’.

To keep citizens informed about the risks associated with the disease, the Heart Foundation has listed five things that increase the possibility of someone having CVD.

1. High blood pressure

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a lifestyle disease associated with unhealthy habits such as high levels of salt intake, lack of physical activity or increased levels of stress.

Statistics from the National Health Service (NHS) state that 25 per cent of Jamaicans have been tested and diagnosed with hypertension. It is also one of the most significant risk factors for CVD.

When a person has high blood pressure, it puts a strain on the arteries, making them less elastic which decreases the flow of oxygen to your heart, leading to heart disease.

Pushing the message of screening for early detection and prevention, the Heart Foundation is encouraging Jamaicans to get regular blood pressure testing.

2. Smoking

Smoking is an activity that is often hard to quit, because tobacco contains and addictive substance. But the lighting of a cigarette can have serious implications on ones health.

In fact, according to the Ministry of Health, smoking accounts for three per cent of noncommunicable deaths in Jamaica. It is also a risk factor for developing CVD.

The Heart Foundation states that “smoking and the use of tobacco is a major risk factor as the harmful residue lodges itself in the blood vessels, narrowing the passage for blood to flow and over time will cause blockage in the arteries”.

3. High Cholesterol

High cholesterol is a condition associated with high levels of fatty substances found in the blood.

According to the Heart Foundation, when the fatty substance found in the blood is too high, the excess fat deposits itself in the blood vessels, causing the vessels to narrow and thereby increases the risk of a blot clot.

In Jamaica, 12 per cent of the population has been diagnosed with high cholesterol. If you are among that 12 per cent, then you are at risk of having a CVD. Not sure if you have high cholesterol? Well make an appointment at your doctor to get screened.

4. Diabetes

Diabetes, commonly referred to as ‘sugar’, is another lifelong condition that can lead to heart disease.

Sugary drinks and foods are a few food options that can increase a person’s blood sugar level, causing them to have diabetes. When diagnosed with ‘sugar’, a person becomes more prone to CVD because, over time, high blood sugar can damage blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart.

Statistics from the NHF indicate that eight per cent of Jamaica’s population has diabetes, putting them at risk of also having a CVD.

To prevent this, regular blood sugar testing is recommended in addition to a A hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) test that shows the average glucose level.

5. Obesity

A person is diagnosed with obesity when their weight is 20 per cent more than the average weight for their age and height. The noncommunicable disease is often the result of inactivity, family history and other poor lifestyle and nutritional practices.

When a person is obese, their excess weight can lead to fatty material buildup in the arteries, clogging and damaging them. Persons who are obese also require more blood to supply oxygen and nutrients to their bodies, which causes an increase in blood pressure.

In Jamaica, 52 per cent of the population has been diagnosed with obesity, which means they are at risk of developing a CVD.

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