There’s nothing more disheartening than being diagnosed with a debilitating disease. As we get older, we’re more susceptible to chronic ailments such as diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis and much more. And once you’re diagnosed with one of these conditions, then you may be at risk for others. For example, people who suffer from diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, especially if they smoke, are overweight or have high cholesterol. If you have high cholesterol, then you’re also at risk for high blood pressure. Complications of high blood pressure include increased risk of kidney or heart failure, plus a higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke. There’s a reason why it’s called “the silent killer” – the only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to get tested regularly. Once you’ve been diagnosed there are still measures you can take to ease the burden — from medication to diet to physical activity. And understanding your risk factors is key to staying healthy, even if you are diagnosed. Learn your family history and find out if your lifestyle choices or health factors make you a candidate for other life-threatening conditions. Major risk factors like smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and inactivity can be changed or managed. Some risk factors unfortunately cannot be altered – those include advancing age, heredity and gender. Consult with your doctor to discover the most up-to-date treatments and medications.