February is American Heart Health Month and as we talk about Heart Disease as the leading cause of death among Americans today, 1 in 4, to be exact– it is important to know that this deadly disease is preventable!
There are many types of cardiovascular heart disease and with some there are conditions you are simply born with that will put you more at risk. But more so, our lifestyle and personal health choices are what leads to thickening or hardening of the blood vessels, Atherosclerosis, which can lead to blood clots and heart attack–the deadliest form of heart disease.
For men and women, after age 40, and particularly women post menopause, heart disease is even more of a risk. It’s important that whether you are 25, 45 or 65 years old, you are knowledgeable of your Cholesterol, Triglyceride’s (fat in blood) and Blood Pressure Numbers.
http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/video/bernstein-heart-disease-kill
120 over 80 Blood Pressure
<100 LDL Bad Cholesterol
>50 HDL Good Cholesterol
<150 Triglyceride’s
If prevention is an option and we have measures to tell us where our personal risk is, what can we do to keep these numbers within healthy ranges and lower our risk of death even if we already have Heart Disease?
Prevention Heart Disease and Health Ranges of Blood Measures:
- Quit Smoking and Limit Exposure to Second Hand Smoke
- Reduce Intake of Alcohol
- Get Active—Exercise both Cardiovascular and Strength
- Eat Heathy or take on a Heart Healthy Diet
- Daily use of Vitamin E and Beta-Carotene Supplements
For more information on How Exercise and diet can help prevent Heart Disease, read the articles “Eat your Heart Out” and “Put Your Heart Into It“!