Cardiovascular Disease in the US

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cardiovascular disease causes of 1 out of every 4 deaths in the US every year. This makes it the leading cause of death in the US for both men and women. Cardiovascular disease is a broad term that covers many different heart conditions, with coronary artery disease (CAD) being the most prevalent in this country.

Greatest Risk Factors

The three primary risk factors for cardiovascular disease are:

• High blood pressure
• High LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol (a.k.a. “bad” cholesterol)
• Smoking

And, as with many diseases, various medical conditions and lifestyle factors can play a significant role in increasing one’s risk for cardiovascular disease. For example, diabetes, obesity, an unhealthy diet, and a sedentary lifestyle can all make a person more susceptible to heart disease.

Protect Your Heart

Protecting your heart by reducing your blood pressure and cholesterol levels can greatly decrease your risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. Be proactive and follow these tips to improve your heart health:

• Eat a healthy diet that primarily consists of fresh, whole foods, including a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Keep your salt, total fat (particularly saturated fat), and cholesterol intake to a minimum, and limit consumption of processed foods as much as possible.
• Exercise regularly. Be sure to get at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise, like walking or running, on most days. Also, make time for exercise that focuses on improving strength, balance, and/or flexibility, such as yoga or tai chi.
• If you smoke, get help to quit as soon as possible if the “cold turkey” method won’t cut it. If you’re not a smoker, you’re way ahead of the game!

Being proactive in managing your heart (and overall) health is one of the best things you can do to prevent cardiovascular disease and maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

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