To urge Americans to join the battle against cardiovascular diseases, February has been declared "American Heart Month." Cardiovascular disease is the #1 killer of American men and women. More of our health care dollars go toward the treatment of cardiovascular disease than any other disease.
There are many steps each of us can take to prevent and manage circulatory disease and to live a long, healthy life. Celebrate "Heart Month" this year by determining your risk for developing heart disease and learning how to reduce your risk factors.
What's Your Risk Profile?
Risk factors for heart disease are typically labeled "uncontrollable" or "controllable." The main uncontrollable risk factors are older age, male gender, family history of heart disease, and race. (Statistics show that, on average, blacks and Mexican Americans are more likely to have heart disease than whites.)
Even if you have uncontrollable risk factors for heart disease, it doesn't mean that you can't take steps to limit your risk. Researchers say that controllable risk factors -- smoking, physical inactivity, overweight or obesity, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and diabetes -- are all major influences on the development and severity of heart disease.
Reduce Your Risk
In the up-coming days, I will share with you ways to reduce your risk factors for heart disease. Today, I will touch on the first mentioned risk factor, which is COMPLETELY within your control.
Quit smoking. Smokers have more than twice the risk for heart attack than non-smokers and are much more likely to die if they suffer a heart attack. Smoking is also the most preventable risk factor for heart disease. If you smoke, quit. There are many Wellness Programs available which are designed to allow you to choose the smoking cessation program or technique - patches, gum, group support programs, hypnosis - that will work best for you.
~Exercise Your Passion For Life!
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