Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but it can often be prevented. Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle can help you reduce the risk of heart disease and its risk factors.
Join South Tabor Family Physicians and other organizations around the country throughout February to help bring greater attention to heart disease as a leading cause of death for Americans. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and many groups around the country observe National Wear Red Day® each year on the first Friday in February to raise awareness about heart disease as the leading cause of death among Americans, especially women.
Risk factors for heart disease are:
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Overweight/obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Diabetes
- Family history of early coronaryheart disease
- Age (for women, 55 and older)
Heart disease is largely preventable. Here’s what you can do now to reduce your risk:
- Don’t smoke
- Eat for heart health
- Aim for 30 minutes of physical activityat least 5 days a week
- Ask your doctor to check yourblood pressure, cholesterol, andblood glucose