Do you know there are seven easy ways to help control your risk for heart disease? Manage your heart risk by understanding “Life’s Simple 7.”
1. Get active
Daily physical activity increases your length and quality of life. If you get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day (like brisk walking), five times per week, you can almost guarantee yourself a healthier and more satisfying life while lowering your risks for heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
2. Control cholesterol
When you control your cholesterol, you are giving your arteries their best chance to remain clear of blockages. Cholesterol is a waxy substance and our bodies use it to make cell membranes and some hormones, but when you have too much bad cholesterol (LDL), it combines with white blood cells and forms plaque in your veins and arteries. These blockages lead to heart disease and stroke.
3. Eat better
Want more ways to eat better? Try these tips:
Track what you eat with a food diary
Eat vegetables and fruits
Eat unrefined fiber-rich whole-grain foods
Eat fish twice a week
Cut back on added sugars and saturated fats
4. Manage blood pressure
To manage blood pressure, you should:
Eat a heart-healthy diet, which includes reducing sodium
Get regular physical activity and maintain a healthy weight
Manage stress, limit alcohol and avoid tobacco smoke.
5. Lose weight
If you have too much fat — especially if a lot of it is at your waist — you’re at higher risk for such health problems as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and diabetes. If you’re overweight or obese, you can reduce your risk for heart disease by successfully losing weight and keeping it off. Even losing as few as five or ten pounds can produce a dramatic blood pressure reduction.
6. Reduce blood sugar
The following tips can all help reduce your blood sugar:
Reduce consumption of simple sugars that are found in soda, candy and sugary desserts
Get regular physical activity! Moderate intensity aerobic physical activity directly helps your body respond to insulin
Take medications or insulin if it is prescribed for you
7. Stop smoking
Cigarette smokers have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Whatever it takes for you to stop smoking, it is worth it! Visit the American Heart Association’s Quit Smoking website for tools and resources.
https://www.goredforwomen.org/…/about-heart-disease-in-wom…/
1. Get active
Daily physical activity increases your length and quality of life. If you get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day (like brisk walking), five times per week, you can almost guarantee yourself a healthier and more satisfying life while lowering your risks for heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
2. Control cholesterol
When you control your cholesterol, you are giving your arteries their best chance to remain clear of blockages. Cholesterol is a waxy substance and our bodies use it to make cell membranes and some hormones, but when you have too much bad cholesterol (LDL), it combines with white blood cells and forms plaque in your veins and arteries. These blockages lead to heart disease and stroke.
3. Eat better
Want more ways to eat better? Try these tips:
Track what you eat with a food diary
Eat vegetables and fruits
Eat unrefined fiber-rich whole-grain foods
Eat fish twice a week
Cut back on added sugars and saturated fats
4. Manage blood pressure
To manage blood pressure, you should:
Eat a heart-healthy diet, which includes reducing sodium
Get regular physical activity and maintain a healthy weight
Manage stress, limit alcohol and avoid tobacco smoke.
5. Lose weight
If you have too much fat — especially if a lot of it is at your waist — you’re at higher risk for such health problems as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and diabetes. If you’re overweight or obese, you can reduce your risk for heart disease by successfully losing weight and keeping it off. Even losing as few as five or ten pounds can produce a dramatic blood pressure reduction.
6. Reduce blood sugar
The following tips can all help reduce your blood sugar:
Reduce consumption of simple sugars that are found in soda, candy and sugary desserts
Get regular physical activity! Moderate intensity aerobic physical activity directly helps your body respond to insulin
Take medications or insulin if it is prescribed for you
7. Stop smoking
Cigarette smokers have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Whatever it takes for you to stop smoking, it is worth it! Visit the American Heart Association’s Quit Smoking website for tools and resources.
https://www.goredforwomen.org/…/about-heart-disease-in-wom…/