Preventing and Controlling Heart Disease
Heart disease is a major problem. Every year, about 715,000 people have a heart attack. About 600,000 people die from heart disease in the United States every year – that’s 1 out of 4 deaths. Heart disease is the leading cause of death of both men and women in the United States. Though these numbers may seem alarming, heart disease is preventable and controllable. Follow these tips to help you get a healthy heart:
- Eat a healthy diet – Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, limit your sodium intake, eat food low in trans fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.
- Maintain a healthy weight – Being overweight or obese can increase your risk for heart disease.
- Exercise regularly – Engage in moderate-intensity exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. Follow American Heart Association’s Guidelines for Physical Activity.
- Monitor your blood pressure – High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so be sure to have it checked on a regular basis.
- Don’t smoke – Smoking greatly increases your risk for heart disease. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, quit as soon as possible.
- Limit alcohol use– Avoid drinking too much alcohol. Men should stick to no more than two drinks per day, and women to no more than one.
- Have your cholesterol checked – Your health care provider should test your cholesterol levels at least once every 5 years.
- Manage your diabetes – If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar levels closely, and talk with your doctor about treatment options.
- Take your medicine – If you’re taking medication to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.
Other information and more tips can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please feel free to contact Bird Physical Therapy – (785) 331-0106