Daily News
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In fact, one in every three deaths is from heart disease and stroke, equal to 2,200 deaths per day. Fortunately, it is largely preventable and there are many things people can do to reduce their risk, such as being more active.
You can make healthy changes to lower your risk of developing heart disease. Controlling and preventing risk factors is also important for people who already have heart disease. That’s why CHD is encouraging Americans to move more. We recommend that you strive for at least 150 minutes (2 ½ hours) each week of physical activity that gets your heart pumping and leaves you a little breathless. There are flexible ways to break it into amounts of daily activity, and even small amounts add up and can have lasting heart health benefits.
To lower your risk:
- Know your ABC’s: Ask your doctor if you should take an Aspirin every day. Find out if you have high Blood pressure or Cholesterol, and if you do, get effective treatment. If you Smoke, get help to quit.
- Make your calories count by eating a heart-healthy diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables and low in sodium and trans fat.
- Take control of your heart health by following your doctor’s prescription instructions.
By controlling all of these risk factors for heart disease and stroke, you lessen the chance of having a heart attack by 80 percent.