The risk of heart disease increases with age and with conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. However, younger people can also develop heart disease. Heart disease can lead to serious or fatal health issues such as a heart attack or stroke. Take action now to help prevent problems. Even small changes can help.
Manage current health conditions. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol can increase the risk for heart disease. Talk to a health care provider to confirm the best treatment plan.
Recognize symptoms of a heart attack in women—and call 9-1-1 if needed. Symptoms in women can be different than those in men—and include shortness of breath, nausea, and an ache or feeling of tightness in the chest, arm, neck, jaw or abdomen.
Do regular physical activity and maintain a healthy weight. It is not necessary to complete all activity at one set time. A walk around the block is a good way to start.
Make heart-healthy food choices. Eat fruits or vegetables with each meal—and limit saturated fat and sugary beverages like soda. If eating meats, choose the leanest cuts available and prepare them in healthy ways. The Nutrition Facts label can tell the key information about the packaged foods, and it includes details about serving sizes and nutrients like fat and sugar. Check with a health care provider to confirm the food choices that are best.
Benefits to kicking the habit of smoking include cutting the chance of cardiovascular disease in half, improved breathing and lung health and reducing the risk of cancer, stroke, osteoporosis and more.
Make a plan and take action for heart health today!
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