Did you know that heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the United States? According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one in three deaths is caused by heart disease, claiming nearly one million lives annually. Even more shocking, heart disease and stroke cost America nearly $1 billion a day in medical costs and lost productivity. That’s one in six U.S. healthcare dollars spent on cardiovascular disease. The facts are astonishing, and while these statistics are significant, there is good news; heart disease is preventable.
Each year, the month of February is known as Heart Health Month, and non-profits like the Heart Foundation and the American Heart Association work to raise awareness and funding for heart research. These non-profits are not the only way to make a difference to your heart. If heart disease concerns you, there are many things you can do for yourself to lead a heart-healthy lifestyle, and reduce the cost of your healthcare.
The phrase “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” is not the only piece of advice you should listen to if you want to prevent heart disease. Yes, it certainly helps, but there are other steps you can and should be taking to lead a healthy lifestyle. For example, according to the Heart Foundation, adopting a low-sodium diet and avoiding unnecessary fats in addition to engaging in regular aerobic exercise, like walking, can make a world of difference.
However, it’s not all about diet and exercise. It is important to know your risk factors; are you a smoker? Does heart disease run in your family? Are you overweight? All of these things play a role in the health of your heart. Talk to your doctor. Being aware and doing something about it will help you live a long and happy life.
Continuing this lifestyle in the workplace is also suggested. Employers can help reduce these human and economic costs by providing a heart-healthy workplace environment to support employees’ efforts to lead a heart-healthy lifestyle, both inside and outside of work. Utilizing a standing desk, taking a five minute walk every hour or even switching the free soda for free water can help employees in their journey to being heart-healthy.
Heart disease can often be prevented when people make healthy choices and manage their health conditions. Communities, health professionals and families can work together to create opportunities for people to make healthier choices. Make a difference in your community; spread the word about strategies for preventing heart disease, and encourage people to live heart-healthy lives. Don’t be another statistic. Be heart-healthy.
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