Risk Factor Modification

If you have been diagnosed with CHD, your doctor will probably discuss changes to your personal lifestyle in order to modify factors that are associated with the disease. These changes can help improve the success of other treatments you may have, and can help prevent heart disease from returning or getting worse in the future.

The most common risk factors that can be modified include obesity, smoking, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, and high levels of “bad” (LDL) cholesterol. The types of lifestyle changes that often are recommended for patients with heart disease include:

• Eating foods that are low in fat, cholesterol, and sodium
• Taking in fewer calories to lose weight
• Getting regular exercise
• Stopping smoking
• Managing other diseases (eg, diabetes) that can contribute to heart disease
    

An advantage of these lifestyle modifications is that each one can have a positive effect on a number of risk factors. For example, diet modification can help you lose weight, lower your blood pressure, and improve your cholesterol levels.