Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. Every year, about 715,000 Americans have a heart attack and about 600,000 people die from heart disease.
- Symptoms of a heart attack may include:
- Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck or back
- Feeling weak, light headed or faint
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Pain or discomfort in arms or shoulders
- Shortness of breath
There are some health conditions and lifestyle factors that can put people at higher risk of developing heart disease. During American Heart Month, let’s make a commitment to keep our hearts strong and healthy.
Here are a few suggestions to accomplish that goal:
- Eat a healthy diet(eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, low saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol, low salt and high fiber)
- Maintain a healthy weight (overweight and obesity can increase your risk)
- Exercise regularly (Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower your blood pressure and cholesterol)
- Monitor your blood pressure (high blood pressure may have no symptoms so check regularly)
- Don’t smoke (cigarette smoking greatly increases your risk)
- Limit alcohol use (too much alcohol can increase your blood pressure)
- Have your cholesterol checked
- Manage your diabetes (monitor your blood sugar closely)
- Take your medicine (if you are taking medicine for high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes, please follow your doctor’s orders)
Reference; Go AS, Mozaaffarian D, Roger VL, Benjamin EJ, Berry JD, Borden WB, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics-2013 update: a report from the AMA circulation. 2013;127(1);e6-e245. NewsRoomAmerica.com-Presidential Proclamation—American Heart Month, 2013.
