This week, we join the Heart Foundation of Jamaica as it celebrates February as heart month under the theme 'Heart Disease - Check the Risks'. We will consider some of the risks to a man's heart and what can be done.

Check your blood pressure

High blood pressure is a major cause of heart disease. It is called the 'silent killer' because the condition is only detected by having the blood pressure checked. Research done on many populations show that high blood pressure increases the chance of strokes and coronary heart disease (heart attacks). So it is important for a man to check his blood pressure at least once yearly. Men who are known to have blood pressure greater than 140/90 mmHg must lower this pressure by reducing salt in their diet, increasing their level of physical activity and taking medication under the supervision of a physician.

Check your blood sugar

High blood sugar or diabetes mellitus has a deadly effect on a man's heart. High blood sugar speeds up the ageing process, resulting in stiffness of the coronary (heart) arteries. High blood sugar also increases the likelihood of clotting in the blood. These two factors, stiff coronary arteries and increased clotting ability serve to increase heart disease in persons with diabetes. So check your sugar at least once a year. If you are diabetic, your blood sugar must be controlled at about six millimoles per litre.

Check your blood cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that accumulates in your arteries causing narrowing of the arteries. It restricts the ability of the coronary arteries to increase in size when the need arises. High cholesterol is detected by testing the blood. People with high cholesterol are at greater risk for heart attacks.

Do an electrocardiogram

An electrocardiogram or ECG is a simple test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. This test detects problems of the rhythm, rate and size of the heart. It is very important for people with high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol to have an ECG at two yearly intervals.

Check your level of physical activity

It has been said that the strength of your heart muscle is the same as the strength of the calf muscles in your legs. Feel your calf muscles, if they are flabby, it's time to increase your physical activity. A programme of daily walking is one way to strengthen your heart. Taking the stairs, wherever possible, dancing and football are heart-healthy activities.

Evaluate your stress level

Do you have an enjoyablepastime? Do you spend timewith family and friends? How much time do you spend on daily meditation and quiet reflection? These activities reduce the amount of work the heart does as well as the rate at which it beats.

Dr Pauline Williams-Green is a family physician and president of the Caribbean College of Family Physicians; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.