Why is cardiovascular health important

Those include: having diabetes, being overweight or obese, following a poor diet, neglecting to exercise and drinking alcohol in excess. Why else is it important to maintain a healthy heart as you age? There are many other reasons to proactively maintain a healthy heart:.

Unhealthy cholesterol in the blood can also lead to heart attack and stroke , according to the American Heart Association. High blood pressure levels are even more threatening to your overall health. Our hearts work beat by beat, second by second for 24 hours a day, never resting. Over the average lifetime, our hearts beats about 2. The number one cause of death among women and men, heart disease claims approximately one million lives per year.

Heart disease conditions emerge when plaque, which is made of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances in the blood, builds up inside the coronary arteries which supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscles. While the statistics are eye-opening, the good news is that simple lifestyle changes can help you avoid, or even slow down, heart-related problems. Making positive changes in one of the following seven areas can have one of the biggest impacts on your heart health.

When done alone or combined, making positive changes in any of above seven areas can make a drastic difference in your health. The more you know about your health the more power you have to stay healthy. High cholesterol and high blood pressure can damage your blood vessels and heart. See your healthcare provider at least once per year for regular health screenings that will tell test your blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood sugar numbers.

To find out if you are at risk for heart disease or diabetes, take the Know More Heart Health assessments at Mankato-clinic. Learn more about getting active. People who are overweight or have obesity are at an increased risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes. For example, if you weigh pounds, that would mean losing 10 to 20 pounds.

Find out how to control your weight. Quitting smoking helps lower your risk of heart disease and heart attack. Get more information about quitting smoking. Avoiding secondhand smoke is important, too — so keep your home smoke-free. If you have guests who smoke, ask them to smoke outside.

If someone in your home smokes, use these tips to start a conversation about quitting. Managing stress can help prevent serious health problems like heart disease, depression, and high blood pressure. Deep breathing and meditation are good ways to relax and manage stress.

Get more ideas for how to manage stress. This content on heart disease was adapted from materials from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

Reviewed by: Paula T. Einhorn, M. Keep Your Heart Healthy. Topic navigation Browse Sections Overview. The Basics: Overview Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. To help prevent heart disease, you can: Eat healthy Get active Stay at a healthy weight Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke Control your cholesterol and blood pressure Drink alcohol only in moderation Manage stress Am I at risk for heart disease?

What is heart disease? Some common signs of a heart attack include: Pain or discomfort in the center or left side of the chest — or a feeling of pressure, squeezing, or fullness Pain or discomfort in the upper body — like the arms, back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or upper stomach above the belly button Shortness of breath or trouble breathing while resting or being active Feeling sick to your stomach or throwing up Stomach ache or feeling like you have heartburn Feeling dizzy, light-headed, or unusually tired Breaking out in a cold sweat Not everyone who has a heart attack will have all the signs.

Take Action: When to Call Call right away if you or someone else has signs of a heart attack. Control your cholesterol and blood pressure. Get your cholesterol checked. Get your blood pressure checked. Ask your doctor about taking aspirin every day. Talk to your doctor about taking medicine to lower your risk of heart attack and stroke.