HEART DISEASE: PREVENTION

Heart disease can be prevented. Our everyday choices determine our risk for developing or preventing heart disease. When unhealthy lifestyle habits are practiced, our risk increases greatly. Healthy lifestyle habits are crucial factors to preventing heart disease.

The American Heart Association recommends the following:

do not smoke
have your blood pressure checked regularly and keep it within healthy limits
have your blood cholesterol checked regularly and take steps to lower it if it is high
eat healthy foods that are low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium
consume 55 to 60 percent of the day's total calories as complex carbohydrates
consume 30 percent or less of the day's total calories from fat
maintain a healthy weight and take steps to lose weight, if needed
recognize and treat diabetes
do not drink too much alcohol and
maintain balanced levels of caloric intake and physical activity to prevent obesity

Aerobic exercise is important to building and maintaining heart and lung efficiency. Adults should get at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise most days of the week, preferably daily. (Children need at least 60 minutes a day.) Doing less than this will minimize your health benefits. Moderate aerobic exercise is generally defined as requiring about as much energy as walking 2 miles in 30 minutes.

Reducing excessive and prolonged stress in your life is important. Develop healthy habits that incorporate these lifestyle goals. If you do, you will greatly decrease your chances for developing heart disease.

For more information, contact your local chapter of the American Heart Association, call the national office at (800) 242-8721, or visit their website at www.americanheart.org.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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