The leading cause of death in the United States is heart disease. In fact, 1 in 4 deaths each year are caused by cardiovascular complications. However, it is highly preventable. February is Heart Health Month, which is a great opportunity to learn how to take better care of your heart and spread the word to others around you.
The risk for heart disease can greatly be reduced by making lifestyle changes. According to The Heart Foundation, this starts by engaging in regular moderate aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes for five days a week or more strenuous workouts at least 20 minutes for three times a week. Physical activity can aid in controlling weight, cholesterol levels, diabetes, and blood pressure.
It is important to adjust to a diet low in salt, saturated and trans fats, and high in unsaturated fats in order to maintain a healthy heart. Diet is a main cause of high cholesterol, which should be monitored to reduce risk. Maintaining a normal body weight is essential to keep your heart heathy. Those who are overweight are more likely to develop heart disease and stroke, even if they don’t have any of the other risk factors. Smoking should be avoided and alcohol consumption should be limited to 1/2 to 1 alcoholic beverage a day. Smokers are twice as likely to suffer from heart attacks and are more likely to die as a result. Stress, depression, and any other negative emotions that take a toll on your body have also been shown to lead to an increased risk of heart disease.
Since prevention is a huge part in heart health, naturopathic medicine is a good option to seek. You can learn to effectively reduce risk factors for heart disease and learn ways to cut your chances of developing cardiovascular disease. Many patients are simply told “eat better and exercise” by their primary physicians, with practically no support or additional strategies about what they should specifically do. Naturopathic physicians enjoy educating patients on specific ways to change diet, exercise, and overall lifestyle in order to have a healthier heart. They personalize their recommendations for you based on your specific needs and challenges. Since every person is different, their health plan should also be unique to them.
On average, someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds. It is important to realize that cardiovascular disease does not discriminate. Make the change today to start taking better care of your heart and help raise awareness to those around you!
In Balanced Health,
