Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. It claims approximately 1 million lives annually. The good news is that it is also one of the most preventable.
Diseases under the heart disease umbrella include blood vessel diseases, such as coronary artery disease; heart rhythm problems; and heart defects you are born with, among others.
You may lack the power to change some risk factors, such as family history, sex or age, but there are some key heart disease prevention steps you can take to reduce your risk. Here are some tips to help prevent heart disease.
- Eat healthy
- Get active
- Maintain a healthy weight
- If you smoke, quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke
- Control your cholesterol and blood pressure
- If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation
- Manage stress
- Get enough quality sleep
Heart disease causes 1 in 3 women’s deaths each year, killing approximately one woman every minute. 90 percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.
National Wear Red Day is Friday, February 2nd. Wear red to raise awareness about heart disease being the No. 1 killer of women. The American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement advocates for more research and swifter action for women’s heart health. It’s never too late to live heart-healthy, which is why Go Red For Women wants you to consider your heart health at every age.
Be sure to discuss any concerns you may have about heart disease with your doctor. Take steps today to lower your risk of heart disease. The following links provide more information on heart health.
https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/
DISCLAIMER: This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other healthcare providers. Always consult your healthcare provider about your medications, symptoms, and health problems. Any websites listed are external websites that are not maintained or endorsed by Old Colony Elder Services (OCES). A link does not constitute an endorsement of content, viewpoint, policies, products or services of that website. Once you link to another website not maintained by OCES, you are subject to the terms and conditions of that website, including but not limited to its privacy policy.