Will I Get Heart Disease?

by Katy
(Lancaster )

QUESTION: I'm a 13 year old girl. I weigh 140 pounds and I am 4'10". Heart disease doesn't run in my family but my grandmother had it. Will I get heart disease?

ANSWER: While genetics can play a role in heart disease, how you live your life and your lifestyle choices play an even bigger role. Fortunately you are young enough that you can start and maintain healthy habits throughout your life... if you want. That, plus future medical advances, can make the odds of you ever getting heart disease, very small.

The American Heart Association suggests that a healthy diet is one of the greatest weapons against heart disease. You should really focus on eating right. Here are some other suggestions for a heart-healthy lifestyle:

-aim for a healthy weight.
-be physically active every day.
-limit consumption of alcohol
-lower high blood pressure.
-manage diabetes.
-reduce blood cholesterol.
-reduce stress in your life.
-don't smoke.

Katy, if you're able to maintain as many of the suggestions above, you'll not only be able to practically eliminate your risk of heart disease, you'll greatly reduce your risk for other diseases such as cancer.

Do your best and live a long and healthy life!