It’s almost the end of Heart Month - but it’s always a good time to look after your heart. Heart disease is a major cause of death in the U.S.
The Centers for Disease Control lists these risk factors for cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease: high blood pressure; high cholesterol; smoking; diabetes; being overweight; having an unhealthy diet; not being physically active; and excessive use of alcohol.
The CDC recommends: eating healthy, getting exercise, and staying at a healthy weight; quitting smoking; controlling cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar; controlling other medical conditions you may have; taking medication, when appropriate.
Blood pressure, ideally, should average at or below 120/80 when you are at rest. Blood pressure comes from the force blood puts on vessels as it goes through them. Cholesterol is a substance that the body needs. It causes problems when there’s too much of it. It can build up in blood vessels, and eventually cause a blockage. Some people are genetically predisposed to high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Medication may help.
Exercise is always important for heart health. The World Health Organization listed improving cardiovascular health as one of its Healthy People 2030 focus areas. The State of South Dakota also has a “Cardiovascular Collaborative Strategic Plan to help improve heart health of citizens. (Search at doh.sd.gov for this.)
