heart disease and stroke are the number one cause of death in the United States
The fact that so many of these deaths are preventable is why, this month, we really focus on how to have a healthy heart.
"Life's Simple 7" list, from The American Heart Association and The American Stroke Association, contains health conditions that, if not avoided or managed, are known to increase the risk for both heart disease and stroke.
Avoid "Life's Simple 7"
1. Smoking – increases blood pressure, narrows arteries, and stresses the heart
2. Physical Inactivity – not engaging in recommended amounts of daily physical activity
3. Nutrition – not following healthy eating pattern choices
4. Overweight/Obesity – abnormal BMI (body mass index)
5. Cholesterol – elevated LDL, low HDL, elevated triglycerides
6. High Blood Pressure – blood pressure elevated above normal limits
7. Diabetes Mellitus – blood glucose elevated above normal limits
REDUCE YOUR RISK
Follow a healthy daily eating pattern, e.g. Mediterranean style of eating
Maintain a healthy weight for your age, height, gender, and physical activity level
Choose a variety of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lean protein sources, and low-fat dairy
Consume healthy fats such as monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and omega-3s
Limit added sugars, unhealthy saturated fats, sodium, and sugary beverages
Use appropriate serving sizes of all foods and beverages by reading nutrition labels
Quit smoking
Engage in regular physical activity most days
Manage your stress
Maintain healthy blood pressure, LESS than 120 over 80
Maintain normal blood glucose, e.g. Fasting blood glucose, non-diabetic = LESS than 100 mg/dL
Stay Young at Heart with this video
Healthy Heart Resources
American Heart Association http://newsroom.heart.org/events/february-is-american-heart-month-5712350
Healthfinder.gov provides wonderful health related resources for the public and professionals. Here is a link to their American Heart Month Share These Resources area that includes healthy topics, personal health tools, and other items https://healthfinder.gov/nho/FebruaryToolkit.aspx#links
Click below to see how you can increase or improve your activity!
Click the button to view and download this great resource from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: National Institutes of Health, and National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
Additional resources for healthy eating and living can be found in some of my previous blogs, just click on the titles to go to each one.
Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020
Nutrition and Healthy Living Resources