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It’s a New Year, and most of us likely resolved to make healthier choices this year, such as eating a healthier diet or incorporating exercise into our routines. With American Heart Month being observed in February, now is the time to pay closer attention to your heart health.
“Heart disease is the number one killer in America, and we suggest making health decisions that are much more targeted,” explained Dr. Garland Green, interventional cardiologist at the Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS). “By knowing your risk factors, making lifestyle changes and having regular checkups, you can maximize your ability to ensure that your heart stays as healthy as possible for as long as possible.”
For some, heart disease is hereditary. Risk factors such as family history, age and sex
are out of your control. However, many risk factors can be controlled to greatly lessen your risk. These risk factors can be modified and influenced by your lifestyle and daily choices:
• Tobacco use/smoking
• High blood cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Physical inactivity
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Diet and nutrition
• Stress
A quick and easy way to keep tabs on your heart health is to understand your numbers. A visit to your doctor is all it takes to get these readings and to determine if they are within a healthy range. The most important heart health numbers to understand include:
• Cholesterol: LDL or “bad cholesterol” should be under 100.
• Blood pressure: The top number (systolic) should be under 120, while the bottom number (diastolic) should be under 80.
• Blood sugar: Blood sugar readings before eating should be under 100 and under 140 if taken two hours after a meal.
• BMI: Body mass index calculates body fat in proportion to height and weight. Healthy ranges are between 18.5 and 24.9%.
It doesn’t take hours of sweating in a gym to reap the benefits of cardiovascular exercise. In fact, just 20-30 minutes per day of moderate activity can help significantly in keeping the heart strong and healthy. For those who can push harder, 75 minutes a week of vigorous exercise is all it takes to reap the same rewards.
This may be the most difficult goal to reach on this list, but it is also the most important. Cigarette smoke damages the body’s blood vessels, contributing to plaque buildup, stroke, heart attack and peripheral artery disease in the legs. Fortunately, quitting can reverse much of this damage. Learn how our expert team can help you by calling 1-877-288-0011.
CIS has clinics in Baton Rouge, Prairieville and Zachary. To schedule an appointment with a CIS cardiologist, visit cardio.com.
