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This trip to the rink might do more harm to your heart than good if you haven't been taking proper care of your health. Don't worry though, with regular visits to your family doctor or health professional, and a few lifestyle changes, you've got a good chance of sidelining heart disease.

Regular heart health screenings like having your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked are a good place to start. "Get checked while you're feeling well," says Dr. Mary Hurlburt, Chief of Family Medicine at the University of Alberta Hospital. See your health professional for regular maintenance and don't wait until a condition becomes serious. If you already suspect that something may be wrong, see your doctor for a thorough check-up. Identifying your current condition allows you and your doctor to work out a play to improve your future health.

Stay out of the penalty box

Many men avoid the doctor's office for a variety of reasons, most of which are based on fears like looking weak or finding something really wrong. Overcoming those fears and visiting your health professional allows you the chance to stay out of the penalty box, and stay in the game. Here are a few calls to watch for:

Visiting the doctor's office for regular screenings is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign that you respect your body.

"You're being proactive with your health by screening," says Dr. Hurlburt. You're taking responsibility for your well-being. You're driving the puck to the net to avoid long term health issues that may otherwise change yours and your family's lifestyles.

It's okay to be afraid. See your doctor for screenings anyway. Dr. Hurlburt says that check-ups often can help alleviate fears that something may be wrong. The condition you may be concerned about might not even exist or may be easily managed by healthier lifestyle choices.

“Dealing with issues early on often only requires lifestyle changes rather than taking medication,” says Dr. Hurlburt. If medication is required, it doesn't mean that you will be on medication forever. It may just be an option to get a condition under control until it can be managed by lifestyle choices.

If you're afraid of the screening process itself, know that it's not as invasive as you think. You won't need to drop your gloves. Screenings for heart health involve procedures like weighing in and checking your Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure checks, blood screenings and discussions about your energy levels, your mood, your lifestyle and your family health history.

Ignoring it doesn't mean that it will go away. It, namely a symptom, doesn't always go away without changes to your lifestyle or medical treatment. By dealing with a sign that something isn't quite right, you may help yourself avoid more serious health issues related to all four of the chronic diseases heart disease, respiratory diseases, diabetes and cancer.

Heart disease risk factors... meet your starting line-up

There are some risk factors for heart disease that you can't change like family history, age and gender. Also, men are more likely to develop heart disease at an earlier age than women. Fortunately, there are several risk factors that you can control.

Meet six players who have typical risk factors and learn how you can handle those risks, score points for a healthier heart and delay the onset of heart disease:

#1 Bill Weight, age 52

Bill has a bit of a beer belly. By carrying extra weight and pushing his body hard on the weekends, his heart and blood vessels have to work way harder than those of a person who's at a healthy weight. Being overweight can put you at risk for developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and some types of cancer.

When you go for regular check-ups, your health professional can check your weight and your Body Mass Index (BMI) and provide you with advice on how to achieve your ideal weight. A combination of regular, moderate physical activity coupled with a healthy balanced diet that is low in fat and is high in whole grains, vegetables and fruit can put you on the offense rather than defense with heart disease.

#2 Scott Blood Pressure, age 46

Scott suspects he has high blood pressure because once in a while he pops into the local pharmacy and checks his blood pressure on the in-store monitor. His readings are high but not off the chart so he hasn't bothered to follow-up with his doctor.

Scott may have high blood pressure which is also called hypertension. Hypertension means that the pressure, or tension, in your blood vessels is too high. The cause of high blood pressure is not always known. However, some factors like age, diet, activity level, and sleep apnea can contribute to high blood pressure.

Most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms. This is why high blood pressure is referred to as "the silent killer" and is often discovered at a regular medical check-up when a doctor or nurse takes a blood pressure reading.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause damage to blood vessels that can lead to heart attacks. High blood pressure can be managed with medications, lifestyle changes or a combination of both.

#3 Gary Cholesterol, age 27

Gary loves working out at the gym. He doesn't smoke and he only has a few alcoholic drinks a week. Why should he be worried about his cholesterol? He's eating too many foods high in saturated fats and trans-fats. Pre-packaged baked goods, snack foods and fried foods often contain these fats, and that's what Gary is grabbing while on the run at work.

When you eat foods that contain saturated and trans-fats, you are increasing the chance of raising your bad cholesterol and lowering your good cholesterol. If you eat foods that contain monounsaturated fats like olive in moderation, you can actually help increase your good cholesterol.

It is hard to know what your cholesterol levels are unless you have them checked. Through a simple blood test ordered by your health professional, you can find out the balance of your cholesterol levels.

#4 Rick Stress, age 39

Rick is stressed out. He's trying to balance his work schedule, his son's hockey schedule, his daughter's dance schedule and his wife's social schedule, and at the same time trying to eat well and exercise.

It's time for intermission, time for a break.

Researchers are studying the links between stress and heart disease. It is known that for some people, stress causes higher blood cholesterol, higher blood pressure and blood platelets that are more likely to clot. This gets worse if those same people smoke or eat a high fat diet.

Stress can also affect your mood. It can cause depression, anxiety and hostility, all of which can damage your heart.

By visiting your health professional, you can evaluate your stress level and learn ways to manage stress so that you are not drained. A certain level of stress is required to function. The key is to find a level that won't injure your physical or mental health.

#5 Daniel Diabetic, age 61

Daniel was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes last year. Diabetes is a condition where your body does not produce enough insulin, or your body can't use the insulin it does produce. Insulin helps your body change the sugar from the foods you eat into energy.

Symptoms of diabetes include unusual thirst, frequent urination, unusual weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision and tingling or numbness in your hands or feet. Your doctor can have a blood test ordered for you to find out if you have diabetes.

People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing heart disease. They can reduce this risk by:

• Taking medication as prescribed to help keep blood sugar levels under control
• Managing their diet carefully
• Being physically active regularly
• Maintaining a healthy body weight

#6 Mike Smoker, age 41

Mike is a pack-a-day kind of guy. If he doesn't quit, it might be game over before the second period even begins.

Your chance of developing heart disease, among other serious chronic diseases, skyrockets if you smoke. Carbon monoxide from cigarettes makes it harder for your blood to carry oxygen, so your heart has to work harder.

Nicotine makes your heart beat faster, again making it work harder. Nicotine narrows your blood vessels, so less blood and oxygen get through. Nicotine also increases the amount of deposits that build up on the inside walls of your arteries. This increases your blood pressure and can lead to blood clots. High blood pressure and blocked arteries are both risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

Quitting smoking isn't easy, but a health professional can assist you by providing resources to help you quit.

Post game

Regular visits to your doctor can help sideline your risk for heart disease so you can not only play on, but win. Don't let the post game be your funeral. Instead, take time to relax and enjoy a drink or two with the guys!