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Life's Simple 7

Date: 11/05/18

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. But did you know you can prevent 80 percent of heart problems by making healthy choices?

There are many ways you can take charge of health to lower your risk of a heart attack or stroke. The American Heart Association (AHA) has identified seven key ones:

  1. Get Active – The AHA recommends getting 150 minutes of exercise every week. If you don’t exercise yet, start small. Start by walking around the block every day.
  2. Manage Blood Pressure – Blood pressure is known as the “silent killer” because it doesn’t have any symptoms. But unknown to you, your heart is working harder to pump blood. This can lead to a heart attack or a stroke. Is your blood pressure higher than 120/80? Talk with your doctor about steps you can take to manage your blood pressure.
  3. Control Cholesterol – High cholesterol contributes to plaque. That can clog your arteries and lead to heart disease and stroke. When you control your cholesterol, you give your arteries their best chance to stay clear of blockages.
  4. Eat Better – A healthy diet is one of your best weapons against many diseases. That includes heart disease. You can eat more fruits and vegetables and add whole grains to your diet. You also can reduce the number of sugar-sweetened beverages you drink. And you can cut back on processed foods high in salt
  5. Reduce Blood Sugar – Most of the food we eat turns into glucose (blood sugar) that our bodies use for energy. Over time, high levels of blood sugar can damage your heart, kidneys, eyes and nerves. Ask for a blood sugar test at your next check-up. Talk with your doctor about maintaining a healthy blood sugar level.
  6. Lose Weight – When you shed extra fat and unnecessary pounds, you reduce the burden on your heart, lungs, blood vessels and skeleton. You give yourself the gift of active living. You also lower your blood pressure. All of this helps you feel better. Even a small amount of weight loss helps.
  7. Stop Smoking – Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in Indiana. Cigarette smokers have a higher risk of heart attack and other heart diseases. Quitting is the best thing you can do for your health.

Learn more about each of Life’s Simple 7 here.



Last Updated: 11/12/2018