Matters of the Heart
Because the Heart Matters
More than 61 million Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease, which is a number of abnormal conditions affecting the heart and the blood vessels in the heart. Coronary artery disease is the most common type and is the leading cause of heart attacks. February is National American Heart Month, the perfect time to schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to assess your heart disease risk, as well as learn more about matters of the heart.
Reverse Your Heart Disease Risk
According to the latest joint American Heart Association/American College of Sports Medicine guidelines on physical activity, all healthy adults ages 18-65 should be getting at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity five days of the week. Being active can reverse the risk of heart disease by controlling cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity as well as help lower blood pressure and stress levels. Physical activity also encourages weight loss and by losing even as few as 10 pounds, the risk of heart disease is lowered. Minor lifestyle changes can make a big difference; even leisure activities such as gardening or walking can lower the risk of heart disease.
No Excuses! Exercise Applies to All Ages
One of the best ways to stay fit and maintain a healthy weight is by including cardiovascular exercise in your lifestyle. Cardiovascular exercise is defined as a physical activity of sustained-duration, moderate-to-somewhat-hard-intensity exercise that uses oxygen to fuel energy production. This type of exercise strengthens the heart and blood vessels, which make up the cardiovascular system. People of all ages should exercise. Children typically expend enough energy in activities throughout the day but unfortunately childhood obesity is on the rise. Parents should encourage their children to get plenty of exercise as well as participate in such activities with them, as exercise offers the perfect opportunity for quality family time.
