Heart Disease 
Every 36 seconds, a person in the United States dies from heart disease. It is the leading cause of death, and accounts for approximately 1 in 4 deaths. Anyone can develop heart disease, however there are preventive measures that can reduce risk. Risk factors can include high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, tobacco and smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption.
Potential Warning Signs of a Heart Attack
- Chest pain
- Lightheaded or weak
- Jaw/neck/back pain
- Shortness of breath
- Arm/shoulder pain
How Can I Prevent This?
A healthy and balanced lifestyle leads to a healthy heart.
- Healthy Diet- Eating a diet high in cholesterol, saturated fats, trans fats, and sodium will increase risk of high blood pressure. Limiting these while increasing fiber can help with high cholesterol prevention. It is also recommended to limit sugar intake to lower blood sugar and avoid excessive alcohol use to prevent high blood pressure.
- Physical Activity- While physical activity can help with healthy weight maintenance, it can also manage blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. The aerobic exercise recommendation for adults is 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity.
- Medical Conditions- If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, etc., it is important to monitor and manage these conditions. It is also important to take medications as prescribed by your healthcare provider. These conditions can be checked by a healthcare provider, and they may suggest some lifestyle changes. Small changes such as lowering sodium and being physically active could prevent you from developing heart disease.
Photo: ©iStock.com/Eoneren
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/docs/ConsumerEd_HeartDisease.pdf
https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/prevention.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6805a2.htm
https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/company-collaboration/heart-check-certification/heart-check-in-the-grocery-store
https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/company-collaboration/heart-check-certification
