Heart disease remains the leading cause of death among adults in the United States, responsible for nearly 600,000 deaths each year, mostly from heart attacks. February is Heart Month, providing an opportunity to assess individual risk and take action to improve cardiovascular health, according to guidance emphasizing that millions more people face increased risk due to certain biological and behavioral factors.
Understanding and Identifying Risk Factors
Some risk factors for heart disease cannot be changed, including age, sex, and family history. However, modifiable risk factors—smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, stress, and physical inactivity—can be altered to reduce risk. The first step toward better heart health involves getting a comprehensive assessment from a doctor, which should include tests for blood glucose and blood lipids (total, LDL and HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides), blood pressure measurement, body weight assessment, and evaluation of family history, smoking status, and physical activity levels.
Treatment and Lifestyle Approaches
Depending on severity and personal health history, doctors may prescribe medications to lower blood pressure, blood glucose, or blood lipids. However, these medications are most effective when combined with lifestyle changes including good nutrition, exercise, and weight loss. Poor diet and lack of activity can counteract the beneficial effects of medications. Importantly, obesity, inactivity, and smoking must be addressed through lifestyle management, though medications can assist with smoking cessation and weight loss.
The Impact of Physical Activity
Even modest changes yield significant benefits. As little as 30 minutes of physical activity per day can impact heart disease risk in multiple ways, helping with weight control, lowering blood pressure, improving blood lipids, and preventing and treating diabetes. By modifying one risk factor—inactivity—individuals can promote beneficial changes in four others: obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes. According to the guidance, no other treatment, including drugs, can have such broad impact on reducing heart disease risk.
Quitting smoking, increasing physical activity, and eating a healthier diet can lead to improvements in heart disease risk factors and reduced heart attack risk, while also reducing risk for other serious health problems including many types of cancer, stroke, and lung disease.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.postandcourier.com/aikenstandard/lifestyle/health-and-fitness-your-heart-health-action-plan/article_fdfc5901-3899-46c2-94c7-88d19447025c.html