There are certain lifestyle choices and medical conditions that are known to heighten your risk for heart failure. Sugar Land and Houston, TX, residents can work with Dr. Swati Gupta at the SKG Heart Center if they want to identify their underlying conditions and lower their risk. What you can do right now to start lowering your risk is to see how many of the following underlying conditions you have today.

Hypertension

Chronic hypertension forces your heart to work overtime when pumping blood throughout your body. Over the course of years, the left ventricle thickens due to hypertension. That leaves you more vulnerable to heart failure as well as heart attacks.

You can prevent this underlying condition by checking your blood pressure regularly at home. Visiting your doctor at least once a year for a checkup can also help catch hypertension before it damages your heart.

Diabetes

High blood sugar is just as dangerous for your heart like high blood pressure. It’s especially damaging if you don’t treat it properly. The damage occurs over time and can heighten your risk for heart disease, heart attack, and eventually, heart failure.

Diabetes is sometimes difficult to manage over time. Make sure you’re working closely with your doctor to get on the best treatment plan and medications. Maintaining a healthy body weight and eating according to a diabetic-friendly menu is critical.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing temporarily in your sleep. That is followed by forced inhalations, which can cause sudden pressure changes within the chest cavity. When that is repeated over time, it can cause significant damage to the heart.

Other Potential Underlying Conditions

If you have a history of heart attacks, you’re at heightened risk for heart failure in Houston, TX. The same goes for most pre-existing conditions related to the heart, including coronary artery disease, defective heart valves, myocarditis, and congenital heart disease.

Act Now to Reduce Your Risk

If you have an underlying condition that leaves you vulnerable to heart failure, it’s important to care for that condition consistently. The better you manage the underlying conditions, the lower the risk to your heart.

There are also some lifestyle changes that you can make to reduce your risk significantly. Not only will a healthier lifestyle keep your heart in great condition, but it will lower your risk for diabetes, obesity, and many other underlying conditions.

To learn more about preventing heart failure in Sugar Land or Houston, TX, call the SKG Heart Center at (713) 623-6555. Dr. Gupta works hard to guide her patients toward healthier lifestyles and healthier hearts. Her focus is on preventing and even reversing heart disease.