Cardiac Risk Factors

Overview of Cardiac Risk Factors

Cardiac health can be significantly influenced by various risk factors. In May, the European Society of Cardiology released updated guidelines for the primary prevention of heart disease, outlining the target values for several key health indicators.

Tobacco Exposure

Avoidance of tobacco in all forms is crucial for heart health. This includes eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke as well.

Dietary Recommendations

A heart-healthy diet should be low in saturated fats and emphasize whole grain products, fruits, vegetables, and fish.

Physical Activity

Engaging in physical activity is essential. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise per week, or a combination of both.

Body Weight Guidelines

Maintaining a healthy body weight is important. Your Body Mass Index (BMI), calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared, should ideally fall between 20 and 25 kg/m². Additionally, waist circumference should be less than 94 cm for men and less than 80 cm for women.

Blood Pressure Targets

Current guidelines suggest that blood pressure should remain below 140/90 mmHg, a topic that has been widely discussed this year.

Lipid Levels

For individuals identified as high risk, the target for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is under 1.8 mmol/L, or a reduction of at least 50% if the baseline is between 1.8 and 3.5 mmol/L. High-risk individuals should aim for LDL levels below 2.6 mmol/L or achieve a reduction of at least 50% if the baseline is between 2.6 and 5.1 mmol/L. For those at low to moderate risk, the target is less than 3.0 mmol/L. While there is no specific target for high-density lipoproteins (HDL), levels above 1.0 mmol/L in men and above 1.2 mmol/L in women are desirable.

Diabetes Management

For individuals with diabetes, a hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) level of less than 7% is recommended.

Heart 2 Heart Services

At Heart 2 Heart, we focus on addressing these risk factors to help prevent cardiac events.

Class Schedule

Classes are available at the following locations and times:
– **Mount Merrion Community Centre**: Mondays at 2:30 PM, 4 PM, and 5:30 PM
– **UCD Sport**: Tuesdays at 10:30 AM and Thursdays at 2 PM
– **Killashee Leisure Centre**: Wednesdays at 2 PM
– **Kilcullen Business Campus**: Wednesdays at 7 PM

Contact Information

Karen Cradock, Specialist Cardiac Physiotherapist
B.Physio, MSc
Heart 2 Heart Cardiac Physiotherapy
Unit 5, Kilcullen Business Campus, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare
Website: www.h2hcardiacphysio.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 045 484 000, 087 766 7465

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Our operating hours are Monday to Thursday from 9 AM to 3 PM and Friday from 9 AM to 1 PM. Please note that we will be closed from Tuesday, December 23rd at 11 AM and will reopen on Monday, January 5th, 2026, at 9 AM.

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