Heart Disease. Healthy Choices Can Reduce Risk

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and woman in the United States. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are causes by heart disease. The good news? Heart disease can often be prevented when people make healthy choices and manage their health conditions. Communities, health professionals, and families can work together to create opportunities for people to make healthier choices.  Make a difference in your community:

Spread the word about strategies for preventing heart disease and encourage people to live heart healthy lives.

REDUCE YOUR RISK- LIVE A HEART HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Engage is regular moderate aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes five days a week or more vigorous workouts at least 20 minutes three times a week.

Adopt a diet low in salt, saturated and transfats and high in unsaturated fats (fish, avocado, etc) like the Mediterranean Diet.

Maintain a normal body weight with caloric adjustment

Avoid smoking and recreational drug use.

Limit alcohol consumption to no more than ½ to 1 alcoholic beverage per day. Know and review your risk factors with a trusted physician.

COMMON RISK FACTORS FOR HEART DISEASE

AGE

Heart disease can occur at any age. However, four out of five people who die from coronary heart disease are aged 65 or older. The risk of stroke doubles with each decade after the age of 55.

GENDER

Men and women are equally at risk for heart disease, but women tend to get coronary artery disease an average of 10 years later then men. The risk for women increases as they approach  menopause and continues to rise as they get older.

FAMILY HISTORY

Presence to heart disease in a parent or sibling, especially at a young age, increases your risk of developing heart disease.

SMOKING

Smokers are twice as likely to suffer heart attacks as non-smokers, and they are more likely to die as a result.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

High Blood pressure (over 140/90) mmHG and over 130/80 mmHg in diabetics) increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, and kindey damage.

CHOLESTEROL

The higher the blood cholesterol level, the higher the risk of coronary heart disease, particularly if its is combined with any of the other risk factors.

ADDITIONAL  FACTORS

Other risk factors for heart disease can include physical inactivity, obesity, diabetes and negative emotions.

Source: theheartfoundation.org