Nearly 800,000 Americans die each year from heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases, accounting for one in every three deaths. Those statistics are wild… and we need to do something about it.
Many wonder if there is a way to decrease their chances of having a heart attack and reduce their chances of dying from heart disease. The answer is yes! There are lifestyle choices that you can make that may decrease your risk of developing heart disease.
The hard part is knowing exactly what those changes might be. The more you know, the better it is for your heart. Keep reading to learn some facts about cardiovascular disease.
Fast Facts About Cardiovascular Disease
Coronary heart disease, the most common type of heart disease, is the leading cause of death in the United States. Every year, about 395,000 Americans die from coronary heart disease.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States.
Despite these sobering statistics, there is good news. You can reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease by making healthy lifestyle choices and managing any health conditions you may have.
Here are some fast facts about cardiovascular disease and what you can do to put your heart first:
- cardiovascular disease includes a variety of heart and blood vessel conditions
- the most common type of cardiovascular disease is coronary heart disease
- risk factors for cardiovascular disease include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and family history
- making healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and not smoking, can help reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors
While many risk factors for cardiovascular disease are out of our control—like age, gender, and family history—there are some we can change. Making healthy choices can prevent cardiovascular disease from developing, or having a heart attack or stroke. Put your heart first by:
- Quitting smoking
- Exercising regularly
- Eating a healthy diet
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Managing stress
- Limiting alcohol consumption
If you have cardiovascular disease, or other risk factors like diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure, working with your healthcare team to control these conditions is also critical for preventing a heart attack or stroke. You can undergo a non-invasive procedure to find out your calcium score in Millburn, NJ and elsewhere to find out more information about your heart health.
Making heart-healthy choices is one of the best things you can do for your health—start today!
The healthcare team may even suggest implants through surgery, for example, if you’re a patient who suffers from non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AFib), you should consider learning more about getting a watchman implant, which can help reduce the risk of strokes in patients.
Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease
Prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) require a multifaceted approach that includes lifestyle changes, medical interventions, and surveillance.
Lifestyle changes are the cornerstone of CVD prevention and include quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet. Medical interventions for CVD include aspirin therapy, high blood pressure control, and lipid-lowering therapy. In addition, people at high risk for CVD should be screened for diabetes and sleep apnea.
Take Heed of These Facts About Cardiovascular Disease
You should make a note of these facts about cardiovascular disease. If you are concerned about cardiovascular disease, put your heart first and talk to your doctor. There are many risk factors for heart disease, but it is possible to reduce your risk. You can make lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. You can also take medications to lower your risk. Your doctor can help you make decisions about what is best for you.
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