Matters of the Heart

LIVING | HEALTH

Each year, about 647,000 Americans die from heart disease (also called cardiovascular disease). This number has declined somewhat in recent years, but heart disease remains our leading health problem, causing one out of every three deaths in the U.S.

But what is heart disease? Cardiovascular disease is any disorder that affects the structure and function of your heart. Some of the most common conditions are:

■ Abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia)

■ Coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis or plaque buildup in the arteries)

■ Heart failure (disorder of the heart pump).

■ Heart valve disease (such as mitral valve prolapse or aortic stenosis)

■ Congenital heart disease (blood vessel defect)

■ Heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy)

■ High blood pressure (hypertension)

Heart disease is our No. 1 health enemy. Medicine, technology, and education do a good job of preventing, treating the symptoms, and repairing the damage of sick hearts, and millions survive heart disease and heart attacks very well.

However, there’s no magic bullet cure for heart ailments. Heart health begins with you.

Ways to boost your heart health

• Get active and stay active; take 30 minutes 5 times a week or more for moderate physical activity. Learn about your target heart rate and exercise in that zone at least 3 times per week.

• Plan most meals with one–half fruits and vegetables, one–quarter lean meat, fish, or beans, and one–quarter whole grains. (2 cups of fruit and 2 ½ cups of vegetables daily)

• Control your cholesterol by eating more foods from plants rather than foods from animals.

• Enjoy fish with heart–healthy omega–3 fatty acids.

• If you smoke, stop; it’s the best thing you can do for your heart

• Regular screenings can help keep your cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels in check.

• Talk to your health care provider about your heart disease risk factors at your next checkup.

• Stop stress in its tracks by making time for activities that you find relaxing.

Did you know?

Heart disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined. Most women who die suddenly from heart disease will have no prior symptoms. But 80 percent of cardiac events may be prevented with health, education, and lifestyle changes to manage your vital signs.

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