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Joz Joneda
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Safeguard Your Heart

by Joz Joneda on December 20, 2011

Safeguard Your Heart

Your age-by-age plan for keeping your ticker strong and healthy

By: Abby Lerner

Safeguard Your Heart The latest findings on heart disease are nothing unexpected: It's the number one killer of American men, claiming a life about every 30 seconds. Most young, fit guys shuffle statistics like these into a mental file titled, "Doesn't apply to me." But no matter how old (or young) you are, the only way to stay on top of your game is to know your risk factors and take the right steps to avoid problems down the road. We talked with two heart experts to find out everything you need to know to guarantee your ticker stays stronger longer.

In Your 20s

"There's a common problem among men in their twenties," says Dr. Eric Topol, M.D., a practicing cardiologist at Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, California. "They don't know they're vulnerable [to heart disease]." Your twenties are the prefect time to establish heart-healthy diet and exercise habits that'll extend your expiration date. That means 30 minutes of exercise five times a week and maintaining a healthy weight and cholesterol level—LDL below 130 mg/dL, HDL of at least 40 mg/dL, according to Dr. Topol.
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Every 20-something average Joe needs an annual physical to evaluate HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting lipid profile, blood pressure, and family history. If the checkup goes well, one appointment is enough to clear your conscious. But if you're an athlete or you hit the weight room more than five times a week, ask your doctor for an echocardiogram to ensure you don't have a heart abnormality," says Dr. John Elefteriades, M.D., the chief of cardiac surgery at Yale University.

"If you have a silent aneurism (one that doesn't cause you to feel symptoms), you're susceptible to internal splitting of the aorta," Dr. Elefteriades says. An echocardiogram is the only way to detect this problem. The test also spots dilated cardiomyopathy (a condition of heart failure in which the heart gets stretched too big and too thin) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (an inherited condition where the heart muscle is overgrown).

Your 20s Checklist:
  • 30 minutes
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11 Comments

Eduard Bayeng · Become a Fan

Very good article... interesting informative facts!

17 months ago
Arvin Marinduque · Become a Fan

need this one.... thanks for posting...

17 months ago
K-arlyn A · Become a Fan

wonderful! it gives info to all including those arent in health department and just plain me...thanks..

17 months ago
Lobna Abd Al-aziz · Become a Fan

Nice post , thanks for sharing

17 months ago
Josie Abalorio · Become a Fan

nice post

17 months ago
Bert Arguelles · Become a Fan

thanks for making this post! very informative..

17 months ago
viol carillo · Become a Fan

nice post

17 months ago
Geo Prime · Become a Fan

interesting, great post !

17 months ago
NaZa D · Become a Fan

Very good post.

5 months ago