February is National Heart Month, and Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death for men and women in this country. Heart disease is defined as damage to all or part of the heart, damage to the coronary arteries, or a poor supply of nutrients and oxygen to the organ.
Heart Disease by the Numbers:
What else do we know about heart disease? Whether it’s a heart attack or coronary heart disease, the statistics from the CDC and the American Heart Association are alarming:
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States.
- One person dies every 36 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease.
- About 659,000 people in the United States die from heart disease each year—that’s 1 in every 4 deaths.
- Heart disease costs the United States about $363 billion each year from 2016 to 2017. This includes the cost of health care services, medicines, and lost productivity due to death.
While some of the risk factors that contribute to cardiovascular diseases are related to genetics, most aren’t. That means lifestyle choices can play a role in determining whether you do—or don’t—develop a heart-related health problem.
The uncontrollable risk factors are:
- Age (the risk increases with age)
- Gender (men develop CAD 10 years earlier than women)
- Family history (genetic predisposition and common lifestyles increase risk)
- Race (incidence is greater in some groups of African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, Native American Indians,)
The controllable risk factors are:
- Smoking: Smoking is most commonly associated with lung disease and lung cancer, however, it is also closely tied to heart disease. Most people do not realize that secondhand smoke is equally as deadly as firsthand smoke.
- Sedentary lifestyle: The dangers of sitting too much have become forefront in the heart health conversation. Researchers consider a sedentary life as risky to heart health and overall well-being as smoking.
- Diet: Make smart, colorful food choices. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and healthy grains lowers your risk of heart disease. By contrast, consuming processed foods, trans fats, and sugary treats puts your health at risk.
- Overweight: Most people know that maintaining a healthy weight is important for good health. This is especially true when it comes to your heart. As the obesity epidemic in this country continues to grow, so does the number of people living with heart problems. Even children and teens are developing high blood pressure related to being overweight. Get moving – To improve overall cardiovascular health, the American Heart Association suggests at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise or 75 minutes per week of vigorous exercise (or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity). Thirty minutes a day, five times a week is an easy goal to remember.
- Diabetes: People who have diabetes are also at increased risk for heart disease. For some, the two are closely linked. Inactivity and a poor diet contribute to both diabetes and cardiac-related illnesses.
- High blood pressure: This is a risk factor that can usually be controlled through diet and exercise. In some cases, taking medication may be required, at least temporarily.
- Cholesterol: While high cholesterol may be genetic for some, in many cases it is lifestyle choices that have the greatest impact. Nutrition and physical activity are two preventative steps that can help lower your bad cholesterol.
While some of the risk factors that contribute to cardiovascular diseases are related to genetics, most aren’t. That means lifestyle choices can play a role in determining whether you do—or don’t—develop a heart-related health problem.
Daily Life at The Pines Senior Living
The Pines Senior Living specializes in helping residents to enjoy an engaging and balanced lifestyle. Our exceptional dining, fitness, and activities programs promote healthy aging in a casually elegant home-like environment. We invite you to schedule a tour and learn more today!