February is National Heart Month

Heart disease can happen to anyone at any age. Unbelievably, it is happening to many younger adults more often! The rising rates of obesity and high blood pressure among younger people are putting them at higher risk for heart disease much earlier in life.

Below are conditions and behaviors that could put you or your loved one at higher risk for developing heart disease.

• High blood pressure: Millions of Americans of all ages have high blood pressure, including millions in their 40s and 50s. About half of people with high blood pressure do not have it under control. Having uncontrolled high blood pressure is one of the biggest risks for heart disease and other harmful conditions, such as stroke.
• High blood cholesterol: High cholesterol can increase the risk for heart disease. Having diabetes and obesity, smoking, eating unhealthy foods, and not getting enough physical activity can all contribute to unhealthy cholesterol levels.
• Smoking: More than 37 million U.S adults are current smokers and thousands of young people start smoking each day. Smoking causes a lot of damage on the blood vessels and can cause heart disease.
• Obesity: Carrying extra weight puts stress on the heart. More than 1 in 3 Americans and nearly 1 in 6 children ages 2 to 19 are obese.
• Diabetes: Diabetes causes sugar to build up in the blood. This can damage blood vessels and nerves that help control the heart muscle. Nearly 1 in 10 people in the United States has diabetes.
• Physical inactivity: Staying physically active helps keep the heart and blood vessels healthy. Only 1 in 5 adults meets the physical activity guidelines of getting 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity.
• Unhealthy eating patterns: Most Americans, including children, eat too much salt, which increases blood pressure. Replacing foods high in sodium with fresh fruits and vegetables can help lower blood pressure. Unfortunately, only 1 in 10 adults is getting enough fruits and vegetables each day. Diet high in trans-fat, saturated fat, and added sugar increases the risk factor for heart disease.

Ways To Take Control of Your Health

You are in control of your health and your heart. Here are some ways to be heart healthy at any age:

1. Don’t smoke. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, learn how to quit by developing a plan, speaking to a professional, or seeking social support.
2. Manage conditions. Work with your health care professionals to manage conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. This includes taking any medicines you have been prescribed.
3. Make healthy eating changes. Eat food low in trans-fat, saturated fat, added sugar and sodium. Try to fill at least half your plate with vegetables and fruits, and aim for low sodium options.
4. Stay active. Start being active. Get moving for at least 150 minutes per week. You can start easy by breaking 30 minutes into 10-minute blocks per day. If you need assistance, the HQC Fitness Center staff will gladly assist you.