Did you know that heart disease kills more Americans then cancer and HIV combined? Heart disease is a silent killer that affects more then 60 million Americans and that number is growing. 1 in every 5 Americans suffer from some sort of cardiovascular issue, the most common of which is congestive heart failure, strokes, and high blood pressure. The cause of heart disease is greatly based upon human related behaviors and genetics, and while the genetic makeup cannot be determined, there are life style changes that can be made to prevent this silent killer.
Smoking can increase your risk of heart disease by a whopping %30, and amazing Americans still refuse to quit smoking. It is estimated that nearly 1 in 5 Americans smoke cigarettes, despite the surgeon general’s warnings regarding smoking and an increased Tobacco tax. The number of Americans that die every year from heart disease is a staggering 1.4 million, and The American Heart Associations estimates that 2,600 Americans die each day from cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular disease takes the lives of more Americans then the other five leading causes of death, which include cancer and diabetes mellitus. So, how does one prevent or reduce the risk of this disease? First begin by cutting all of the white foods from your diet; these include bread, pasta, refined sugar, and flour. Not only do white foods increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, the risk of various cancers as well as weight gain increase with every bite. Secondly, eliminating smoking tobacco from your life will greatly lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as lowering your risk of lung and stomach cancer.
Exercising for at least 30 to 40 minutes everyday is another way to prevent cardiovascular disease, even if you can only move around for a short time. Take Yoga or Tai Chi classes, Yoga are an excellent way to increase circulation and Yoga has been shown to increase brain functioning and cardiac health. Take part in a local Yoga class, they are places where you can meet new pals and practice one of the most beneficial exercises for your mind and body.
Check you cholesterol often, high cholesterol is another cause of heart disease. You should maintain a TC (Total Cholesterol) of no more then 1.5 mmol/L, and you should have neither an LDL cholesterol level of any more then 1.0 mmol/L. If diet and exercise aren’t enough to lower your cholesterol you will need to begin a regimen of statin medications, Lipitor and Zocor are the two most common.
Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial in the prevention of heart disease, a healthy body mass index is 20 – 27. If you cannot maintain a healthy weight or if you have difficulty exercising you might be a candidate for lap band surgery, whatever the reason maintaining a healthy weight is essential in heart Disease Prevention as well as colon cancer prevention. Aim for a healthy blood pressure of 120-135/ 70-80. If you are suffering from elevated Blood Pressure you might want to eliminate excess salts from your diet, and watch your weight as obese people are more prone to elevated blood pressure.
Drink a small glass of red wine with dinner, red wine has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease in moderation. You can make it a habit to have a single glass of red wine with your meal; this is a quick and easy method for reducing your risk of heart disease.
Finally, maintain a happy outlook and disposition on live. Negative emotions affect the body in a negative way by release Nor-epinephrine into the heart, so don’t worry and just try to live a happy and healthy live and you will reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.
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