Condition Spotlight
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, causing about 1 in 4 deaths.1 The term “heart disease” refers to several types of heart conditions. In the United States, the most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to heart attack. You can greatly reduce your risk for heart disease through lifestyle changes.
Many of the people who are at high risk for heart attack or stroke don’t know it. The good news is that many of the major risks for these conditions can be prevented and controlled through healthy lifestyle changes. Learn more about how you can prevent heart disease.
Exercise can reverse damage to sedentary, aging hearts and help prevent risk of future heart failure and improve heart health if it’s enough exercise, and if it’s begun in time, according to a new study Read More
Turmeric, a centuries-old spice that is widely used in curries, is touted for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and pain-relieving properties. This yellow powder from the root of a plant that grows in India and other parts Read More
February is Heart Health Month. And that means you’re about to be barraged with information about all things heart – all month long. You’ll hear facts that might scare you, like statistics showing that heart Read More
For decades, American waistlines have been expanding and there is increasing cause for alarm. Researchers from the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University make the case that metabolic syndrome a cluster Read More
In addition to essential metabolic functions, the level of zinc in the body also affects the heart muscle. When oxidative stress occurs, it may be due to a shortage of zinc, which can be determined Read More
By no means are only elderly people at risk from heart diseases. Physically active individuals can also be affected, for example if a seemingly harmless flu bug spreads to the heart muscle. Should this remain Read More
The American Heart Association’s (AHA) American Heart Month first took place in February 1964. Fifty-six years later, AHA continues to use February as a wake-up call for Americans to care for their hearts. American Heart Read More
Caffeine consumption has been associated with lower risks for multiple diseases, including type II diabetes, dementia, heart disease, and stroke, but the mechanism underlying these protective effects has been unclear. A new study now shows Read More
One in three American adults suffers from high blood pressure (hypertension.) That number is steadily climbing, despite the fact that hypertension can be easily treated using evidence-based guidelines. Based on the American Medical Association’s M.A.P. Read More
The available research points to an association between marital status and health, but it’s not clear whether this observed link is influenced by the health of people entering into marriage or the protective effects of Read More
More than 868,000 Americans die of heart disease, stroke, or other cardiovascular diseases every year—that’s one-third of all US deaths. The term “heart disease” refers to several types of heart conditions. The most common type of cardiovascular disease in the United States is coronary artery disease (CAD), which affects the blood flow to the heart. Decreased blood flow can cause a heart attack.
By living a healthy lifestyle, you can help keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels normal and lower your risk for cardiovascular disease and heart attack. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to reduce your chances of getting heart disease:
- Control your blood pressure. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease. It is important to get your blood pressure checked regularly – at least once a year for most adults, and more often if you have high blood pressure. Take steps, including lifestyle changes, to prevent or control high blood pressure.
- Stay at a healthy weight. Being overweight or having obesity can increase your risk for heart health issues. This is mostly because they are linked to other heart disease risk factors, including high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Controlling your weight can lower these risks.
- Eat a healthy diet. Try to limit saturated fats, foods high in sodium, and added sugars. Eat plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. The DASH diet is an example of an eating plan that can help you to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, two things that can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Get regular exercise. Exercise has many benefits, including strengthening your heart and improving your circulation. It can also help you maintain a healthy weight and lower cholesterol and blood pressure. All of these can lower your risk of heart health issues.
These are just a few of the features we will focus on to help you maintain a healthy heart.
