| Heart disease is a national killer. It is the leading cause | | | | being great for you, regular exercise also feels great. |
| of death for both men and women in the United | | | | 3. Eat a heart-healthy diet: |
| States. In 2002, almost 700,000 people died of heart | | | | All of the complex functions within our bodies rely upon |
| disease in the U.S., which was 29% of all deaths in that | | | | the energy that we provide via the food we eat. It just |
| year. The principal type of heart disease is coronary | | | | stands to reason that eating unhealthy foods, such as |
| artery disease, which accounts for about 71% of all | | | | saturated fats and sugars, will poison our bodies over |
| heart disease-related deaths each year. | | | | time. Make sure that your diet includes a heart-healthy |
| Which such disturbing statistics in mind, many people | | | | menu of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat |
| ask themselves, "What are some ways to prevent | | | | dairy products. Legumes, low-fat protein sources, fish |
| heart disease?" Many people do not start asking | | | | can also contribute to heart health and reduce the risk |
| themselves this question until they start exhibiting | | | | of disease. |
| common symptoms of heart disease, including (for | | | | 4. Maintain a healthy weight: |
| example) shortness of breath, heart palpitations, | | | | When adults gain weight, the pounds tend to pack on |
| faster-than-normal heartbeat (tachyarrhythmia), | | | | our bodies in the form of fat. This excess weight can |
| weakness or dizziness, and nausea. | | | | lead to a number of dangerous conditions, including high |
| However, it is wise to ask yourself, "What are some | | | | blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Check |
| ways to prevent heart disease?" even if you are not | | | | your weight by making sure that your Body Mass |
| showing symptoms. Many diseases of the body that | | | | Index (BMI) is below 25. Even a 10% reduction in your |
| precipitate major heart disease show no signs or | | | | weight can have important and lasting positive effects |
| symptoms of being present. For example, the | | | | on your health. |
| presence in the body of diseases such as peripheral | | | | 5. Get regular screenings: |
| artery disease (PAD) and arterial stiffness may or | | | | Adults should have their blood pressure checked at |
| may not be associated with physical pain. | | | | least once every two years, and they should have |
| According to the Mayo Clinic, there are 5 tips on ways | | | | their blood cholesterol levels checked at least once |
| to prevent heart disease: | | | | every 5 years. Fortunately, advances in preventive |
| 1. Avoid smoking: | | | | screening methods now allow for you to receive |
| If you are a smoker, you have heard the message to | | | | completely painless, non-invasive heart screenings at |
| quit smoking a thousand times in a thousand different | | | | very low cost. ABI and ASI screenings are pain-free, |
| ways. Maybe it is time to start listening to the | | | | highly-effective and may determine whether you have |
| message. The pain, loss of life, and financial burden | | | | risk of heart disease your physician is unaware of. I |
| caused by a heart attack or other major heart-related | | | | recommend having an ultrasonic body scan at least |
| medical episode are very great for almost everyone | | | | once per year. Make sure that your scanning provider |
| who experiences them. By quitting smoking, you will be | | | | employs the latest in scanning equipment and that all |
| greatly reducing your chances of contracting heart | | | | results are reviewed by board-certified MDs. |
| disease. | | | | Following some of these steps involves daily practice, |
| 2. Stay physically active: | | | | while others require less-frequent but still very regular, |
| The effects of getting regular exercise have been | | | | disciplined action. If you follow all of these guidelines, |
| shown to benefit almost every aspect of our lives, | | | | you stand to significantly reduce your risk of |
| including our mental, physical and emotional health. And, | | | | experiencing the pain, financial expense, and potential |
| regular exercise has been shown to greatly reduce | | | | loss of life associated with heart disease. |
| the chances of contracting heart disease. In addition to | | | | |