3 Steps to Keeping a Heart Healthy
Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the U.S. Even if you have not been diagnosed with heart disease, you may have conditions or habits that can lead to the development of heart disease. By learning about your individual risk and by making the essential changes, you can reduce your risk of developing heart disease or reducing its severity. If you have even one risk factor, you are likely to develop heart disease. Two or more risk factors are quite serious. Heart disease is one of your greatest health threats, but you can reduce this threat by a whopping 82% if you lead a healthy lifestyle.
- Understand your personal risk for heart disease.
Did you know that more than 95 percent of those who die from heart disease have at least one of its risk factors? Do you know what these risk factors are?
Take our Heart Health Risk Assessment to determine your risk for Heart Disease.
- Control the things you can control by living a healthy lifestyle.
Diet. A healthy lifestyle includes healthy eating habits. Reduce your risk for chronic illness and obesity by following a healthy diet plan.
Physical activity. Reduce your risk for chronic illness and obesity by getting regular exercise.
No Smoking. You will reduce your risk for chronic illness if you will stop smoking. Click here for the resources you’ll need to get started.
Depression & Stress. Depression and stress are linked to your risk for heart problems. Click here for more information
Adequate Sleep. Did you know that a good night’s sleep is required for your body to function properly? Find out how much you know about the function of sleep by taking our quiz.
Additional Information: Top Ten Reasons to Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Manage any diseases you may already have, especially: diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity.
Diabetes. Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about 2 to 4 times higher than adults without diabetes. The risk for stroke is 2 to 4 times higher among people with diabetes.
High Blood Pressure. Blood pressure control can reduce cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke) by approximately 33 to 50 percent.
High Cholesterol. Do you know your numbers?The higher the LDL number, the higher the risk for heart disease. The opposite is true for the HDL cholesterol. The lower the HDL number, the higher the risk for heart disease. Abnormal cholesterol accounts for 20% - 50% of the risk for heart attack.
Obesity. Do you know your measurements? Find out about BMI and abdominal waist measurement risks as well as the general risk from obesity to your heart’s health 10 year risk Heart
