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Prevent Heart Disease
 

 
Daily Bread
A heart at peace gives life to the body.
Proverbs 14:30
These ten lifestyle changes might save your life.

  • Don't smoke! If you smoke and take oral contraceptives, your risk increases nearly 40 percent!
  • Have your blood pressure checked regularly, and take your medication, if necessary, if prescribed by your physician.
  • Be physically active. This doesn't mean running marathons or even 5K races. Just incorporate some moderate activity into your life.
  • Control your cholesterol levels. Studies show that women's total cholesterol levels exceed those for men after about the age of 55, and the HDL "healthy" component lowers, making the relative risk increase.
  • Make sure saturated fat is less than 10 percent of your diet. Seek help from a dietitian if necessary.
  • Eat a variety of foods - mainly fiber-filled fruits, vegetables and grains, green leafy vegetables for folic acid. Seek foods rich in antioxidant vitamins A,C, and E.
  • Maintain near an ideal weight. The Framingham Heart Study showed that in women, being overweight increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure and death from all heart-related causes.
  • Learn to manage or reduce stress in you life. Seek stress management workshops if necessary.
  • Speak with your physician about the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy if you are past menopause.
  • Take charge of your health and create a plan to get or remain healthy.


Published: January 29, 2008
Source: VHA, a national health care provider alliance not-for-profit hospitals and non-acute health care organizations
Writer: Elizabeth Todd Bartholomew, MA, APR


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