James W / Friday, January 31, 2020 / Categories: Heart, Healthy Living Heart Health Tips Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. There are several risk factors that contribute to heart disease. Some risk factors, including gender, age and family history are uncontrollable, while other risk factors can be modified with lifestyle changes. Hover over the images to take your first steps to lower your risk of heart disease and start your journey to a healthier life. Stop Smoking According to SmokeFree.Gov, quitting lowers your blood pressure and heart rate almost immediately - decreasing your risk of a heart attack in just 24 hours! Take the first steps to life without tobacco by building your quit plan today and take it one minute, one hour, one day at a time. Eat Better Eating better can start with a single serving. Serve up better heart health by adding color to your plate with fresh fruits and veggies. Find what works for you and your family by exploring healthy recipes, meeting with a dietitian, or taking a guided tour of your local grocery store! Get Active Get up and move more as part of your everyday routine. Start by adding exercise, and gradually increase your daily activity with small changes. Take a walk, park further away or take the stairs to add physical activity. Track your activity and you will see even small steps throughout the day can add up to improve your heart health. Find a Healthy Weight Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce your risk of chronic disease and promote overall health. The easiest way to maintain a healthy weight is to understand how many calories you take in compared to your activity level. Not sure where to start? Try using a journal or health app to track the food and drinks you consume throughout the day. Manage Your Blood Pressure About 1 in every 3 adults has high blood pressure. Reducing high blood pressure by even small amounts can greatly reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke. You can monitor your blood pressure with your medical provider, free community screenings and health kiosks at local malls and retailers. Control Your Cholesterol Cholesterol is an important number to know. When too high, it can raise your risk of heart disease. Balancing your fats and fibers and exercising can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Make sure you know your numbers through local screenings or a visit with your primary care physician. Reduce Your Blood Sugar More than 100 million U.S. adults are now living with diabetes or prediabetes. Many do not know they are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, getting your blood sugar (or glucose) tested regularly is the first step to lowering your risk! You can check your blood sugar level by talking with your medical provider and/or free community screenings. Source: American Heart Association Print 13659 Rate this article: No rating