Cardiovascular diseases claim more lives each year than all forms of cancer and chronic lower respiratory diseases combined. Between 2013 and 2016, 121.5 million American adults had some form of cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association. Cardiovascular disease was listed as the underlying cause of death for 859,125 Americans in 2017 alone.
February is National Heart Month. It’s a time when millions of Americans come together around the common goal of eradicating of heart disease and stroke. It’s a time to focus on heart health and what that may mean. No one ever thinks they’ll be the one to suffer from heart disease and other common ailments. But it does happen, and there are things that can be done to decrease the odds of heart trouble.
National Heart Month is a time to focus on lifestyle. Simply changing your habits can have a tremendous impact. National Heart Month is a time to consider:
- Quitting smoking
- Losing weight
- Increasing exercise
- Eating healthy
It’s also a great time to ask the doctor to check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. You can educate your family on the risk of heart disease or stroke and talk about your family history with such ailments. Simply staying active can also make a tremendous difference.
Silence is Deadly
Cardiovascular diseases are dangerous killers. The American diet and lifestyle perpetuate that problem. Now is a time to get the facts and educate yourself on the risks involved with heart diseases, and figure out how you can mitigate your own risk. Now is the time to talk about the role that a healthy lifestyle can play in your greater health. Educating friends and family to these risks can help keep them on the right path for life.
