This month is the annual Heart Health Awareness Month where medical professionals emphasize the significant burden of cardiovascular disease on our loved ones and our economy. Unfortunately, most are shocked when they learn the astounding statistic of those affected by cardiovascular disease. Today, I read an article highlighting that 1 in 2 adults suffer from cardiovascular disease. The article does say that the dramatic increase is due to recent changes in the guidelines for diagnosing hypertension. The threshold for hypertension changed from 140/90 to 130/80, thus causing a wider net to be spread on those who have blood pressure readings of 130/80 or higher.
How do you help decrease your risk for having cardiovascular disease and its complications? The same age old advice continues to apply! Exercise regularly (minimize a sedentary lifestyle), aim for 30 minutes or more of exercise most days of the week. Eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, and legumes. Minimize your meat intake. Take your medications as prescribed, particularly if you have high cholesterol, diabetes, or hypertension. Minimize stressors in your life. Foster healthy supportive relationships. Do things more often that give you joy.
My hope is that with enough education from friends, family, and medical professionals…we can change the rates of cardiovascular disease! Onward with health goals for 2019!!
Heart with weights