The Importance of Treating Cardiometabolic Risk Factors

Cardiometabolic risk factors are silent but significant threats to your health, responsible for conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Addressing these risk factors is essential to battle these life-threatening conditions. 

At ARA Integrative and Functional Medicine in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, Dr. Rina Kapoor emphasizes proactive health management. Dr. Kapoor and her team dedicate themselves to identifying and managing these risk factors early.

In this article, she explains the importance of managing cardiometabolic risk factors and how we can help. 

What are cardiometabolic risk factors?

Cardiometabolic risk factors are a cluster of conditions that significantly increase your likelihood of developing heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. These factors include:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Elevated blood glucose
• Obesity
• Metabolic syndrome

Each of the above is a health concern in its own right, but their combined effect can significantly heighten your health risk. 

Also, cardiometabolic risk factors often interact, creating a vicious cycle.

For instance, obesity can contribute to high blood pressure, which may lead to heart disease. Conversely, high cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, leading to a greater chance of becoming obese due to decreased physical activity.

Why treating cardiometabolic risk factors is essential

Early treatment of cardiometabolic risk factors is vital for several reasons:

Prevents severe health conditions

Treating risk factors proactively can prevent or delay the onset of life-threatening health conditions like heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. 

With our help, you can significantly reduce your risk of these diseases by managing your blood pressure, blood glucose levels, cholesterol levels, and weight.

Reduces risk of complications

Untreated cardiometabolic risk factors can lead to devastating complications. Heart disease can result in heart attacks or heart failure, and diabetes can lead to nerve damage, kidney disease, and even blindness. 

Treating cardiometabolic risk factors reduces the likelihood of such complications.

Improves quality of life

Cardiometabolic risk factors can affect your daily life and limit your ability to carry out your everyday responsibilities.

High blood pressure can cause headaches, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. Diabetes can lead to fatigue, frequent urination, and extreme thirst. You can have a healthier, more comfortable life by managing these conditions.

Increases longevity

Finally, treating cardiometabolic risk factors can increase longevity. Heart disease and diabetes are leading causes of premature death worldwide. Effective management and treatment of cardiometabolic risk factors can prevent these diseases, helping you live a long, healthy life.

The role of lifestyle in cardiometabolic health

Your lifestyle choices play a significant role in your cardiometabolic health. Diet, physical activity, stress management, and sleep quality are critical determinants of your cardiometabolic risk. 

A poor diet and lack of physical activity, for instance, can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels, contributing to a heightened cardiometabolic risk.

Addressing cardiometabolic risk factors is necessary for excellent health. ARA Integrative and Functional Medicine is committed to treating cardiometabolic risk factors to improve your quality of life and equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to maintain your long-term health.

Request an appointment with us online or call the office at 610-358-3300.