Health Threat No. 1: Heart Disease
By Robert Crouse, MD
Internal Medicine, Primary Care
Portland Downtown Office
Our Doctors Explain the Leading Threats to your Health, and How to Protect Yourself.
Part 1 of 4.
Most of the things that cause heart disease can be prevented. Why, then, do so many people die from heart disease? Many may simply lack the information or the motivation to protect themselves. I hope I can provide you with both.
First, the motivation:
• Heart disease is the leading health threat to men and women in the United States, causing more than one of every four deaths.
• Every 37 seconds, somewhere in this country, someone dies from heart disease.
Every person has the ability to reduce his or her risk of heart disease. You don’t have to start running marathons — even small changes can make a big difference. The American Heart Association recommends seven things — “Life’s Simple 7” — that you can do to reduce your risk. Give the “Simple 7” a try:
1. Get active.
Get at least 30 minutes of exercise five days a week; more is even better. Exercise is the most cost-effective preventive strategy you can take, improving not only your heart, but all the other conditions that can lead to heart disease, as well.
2. Eat better.
For heart health, weight control, and an abundance of other benefits, choose vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, lean protein and low-fat dairy most of the time. Visit the Web sites at the end of this story for more heart-healthy diet tips.
3. Lose weight.
Obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease. If you are overweight, even a 10 percent reduction in your weight can have a far-reaching effect on your overall health and your risk for heart disease.
4. Stop smoking.
Smoking directly increases the risk of heart disease. It also may indirectly increase the risk by contributing to inactivity, which can be a factor in elevated cholesterol, diabetes and obesity. Many effective methods are available today to help people quit. Enlist your doctor’s help.
5. Control cholesterol.
A cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL or higher raises your risk of heart disease. Eating right and exercising regularly can help control cholesterol, but some people also require medication to keep it in check.
6. Manage blood pressure.
One in three adults has high blood pressure — a significant risk factor for heart disease — yet 21 percent don’t even know it. Get your numbers checked regularly, and if they’re higher than 130/88, talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes or medications to bring them down.
7. Reduce blood sugar.
Adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop heart disease. If you have diabetes or pre-diabetes, work with your doctor to keep your blood sugar under control.
8. Go for bonus points.
I would add three other things to the “Simple 7” list:
• See your doctor for regular checkups. The sooner you discover a problem, the more power you have to do something about it.
• Know the signs of a heart attack (see the Web sites below). The faster you recognize the signs and seek help, the better your chances of survival.
• Parents, start setting a heart-healthy example today for your children. It’s the best gift you can give them for their future.
GET MORE DETAILS ON HEART DISEASE AT WWW.AMERICANHEART.ORG. LEARN MORE ABOUT "LIFE'S SIMPLE 7 AT HTTP://MYLIFECHECK.HEART.ORG.
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