Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for 928,741 deaths in 20201.
With the rise in preventative medicine, you can take steps to monitor your risk for cardiovascular disease. Prevention primarily involves understanding your biomarkers and measuring your risk for the disease.
What is a biomarker?
A biomarker (short for biological marker) is an objective measure that captures what is happening in a cell or an organism2.
In preventative medicine, biomarkers are used as diagnostic biomarkers to detect or confirm the presence of a disease or condition. Biomarkers can also identify an individual with a disease subtype, enabling the patient to take preventative steps to avoid a condition or worsening of one.
Biomarkers can also be used to monitor a patient’s current condition and the effectiveness of a medicine course.
Types of biomarkers
Cardiac biomarkers measure the presence and changes in the blood’s proteins, enzymes, and hormones.
Genetic biomarkers can tell us whether we are more prone to cardiovascular disease through genetic testing. For example, there may be a high risk of heart disease in your family or high levels of inflammatory cholesterol. Age, family history, and gender are generally nonmodifiable biomarkers. Options such as medication or preventative care can help manage cardiovascular disease risk.
Lifestyle biomarkers can suggest a likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease if, for example, your lifestyle is impacting cholesterol levels or other risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. These factors may include excessive smoking, lack of exercise, poor nutrition, or high levels of stress.
Are you at risk for cardiovascular disease?
The American Heart Association estimates up to 90% of cardiovascular diseases may be preventable with education and action3.
Minimizing the risk of cardiovascular disease
Among the risk factors associated with developing cardiovascular disease, these factors are the most prominent:
High blood pressure is defined as over 140/90 on at least two separate days4. If your healthcare professional deems it necessary, medication can control blood pressure. However, lifestyle changes like managing stress (meditation and mindfulness), exercising regularly, reducing salt in your diet, and limiting alcohol can also help.
High low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) contributes to artery blockages (plaques). Most people should aim for an LDL cholesterol level of 100 mg/dL or lower4. Reducing your intake of saturated fats (red meat and full-fat dairy), eliminating trans fats (fried foods), and increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce your LDL cholesterol.
Diabetes. If you have diabetes, whether type 1 or type 2, it means you have too much glucose in your blood, which can lead to serious health issues and puts you at a higher risk for developing cardiovascular disease. Managing diabetes through insulin and proper diet can keep your glucose levels in balance.
Smoking and second-hand smoke exposure. Smoking is the most preventable risk factor. Smokers have more than twice the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. On average, smoking costs 13 years of life to a male smoker and 14 years to a female smoker4. Getting help quitting smoking is an essential action; speak to your healthcare provider if you need support.
Obesity, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity. An increase in BMI (body mass index), obesity, poor nutrition, and a sedentary lifestyle all contribute to raising the risk of cardiovascular disease. Finding a firm of enjoyable exercises you can commit to for 20 minutes daily is essential. Maintaining a healthy body weight with a nutritious, whole-food diet can help reduce pressure on your heart.
To understand your risk for cardiovascular disease, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider and order diagnostic tests. At Hoag Compass, our integrative healthcare team consults you, orders various diagnostic tests, and provides lifestyle interventions to optimize your heart health. Together, we can create a personalized health plan to balance your cardiovascular health and support a long and healthy life.
1 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – 2023 update. (n.d.). professional.heart.org. https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/heart-disease-and-stroke-statistics-2023-update#:~:text=Cardiovascular%20disease%20(CVD)%20remains%20as,in%20lost%20productivity%2Fmortality).
2 Biomarkers. (n.d.). National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/science/biomarkers
3 Drinan, K., DO. (n.d.). How to Prevent Heart Disease: 8 simple steps for a heart-healthy lifestyle. UChicago Medicine. https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/heart-and-vascular-articles/2023/february/heart-month-3-steps-to-a-healthier-heart-right-now
4 UCSF Health. (2023, May 8). Understanding your risk for heart disease. ucsfhealth.org. https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/understanding-your-risk-for-heart-disease