February is American Heart Month, a time to recognize the dangers of heart disease, get educated and take steps to lower your risk. Heart disease, including stroke, is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, killing an estimated 630,000 Americans each year, despite being largely preventable. In the United States, the most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to a heart attack and even death.
You are at higher risk for medical complications from heart disease if you are:
- A woman age 55 or older
- A man age 45 or older
- Or a person with a family history of early heart disease
That being said, development of heart disease and/or its risk factors can begin at much younger ages as a result of poor diet, lack of exercise and unhealthy lifestyle habits.
Making health changes to lower risk and/or manage existing risk factors can be easy. Some things to keep in mind:
- Watch your weight.
- Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.
- Control your cholesterol and blood pressure.
- If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
- Get active and eat healthy.
- Minimize and manage stress
- Talk to your doctor about your person risk status and what you can do to improve it
Read more in the GPNS health library keyword Coronary Artery Disease
No comments:
Post a Comment