Health Tip of the Month
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Simple steps can improve heart health
Small steps that can be integrated into everyday life are important to making lasting changes to improve your heart and overall health.
"Making smaller day-to-day changes, such as eating smaller portions and using the stairs, are easier to follow and will yield bigger results in the long term," said John Foley, MD, a cardiologist on the Backus Medical Staff. "Rather than taking an hour to have lunch, eat lunch in 30 minutes and exercise for 30 minutes."
February is American Heart Month, sponsored by the American Heart Association, to raise awareness about cardiovascular diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability.
The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which often appears as a heart attack. In 2009, an estimated 785,000 Americans had a new coronary attack, and about 470,000 had a recurrent attack. About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event, and about one every minute will die from one.
Dr. Foley said with obesity on the rise, more people are at risk for hypertension, heart disease and diabetes.
"Eating healthier, rather than dieting, and exercising more would go a long way towards taking care of the problem," he said.
He added that stress from the state of the economy, or a job loss can lead to a more sedentary lifestyle and changes in eating habits.
"Smoking magnifies the risk for heart attack and death when thrown into a more sedentary lifestyle as well," he said.