This month, we should take the time to remember that heart disease is the leading cause of death in America. One person dies every 36 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease. It’s important to know about your risk factors for heart disease and what you can do to lower them.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some of these risk factors include: high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, smoking cigarettes or not being physically active enough.
It’s never too late to start taking better care of your health! Check out these 3 simple tips to start making better choices for your heart today!
1. Get regular exercise. Cardiovascular exercises will get your heart pumping, and strength training will help build muscle. “It’s important to know your target heart rate,” explained Dr. Faraz Manazir, a cardiologist with Morrison Community Hospital. “I can determine a patient’s target heart rate and offer recommendations on how to reach it.” The American Heart Association recommends five 30-minute exercise sessions per week. Studies show people who engaged in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity leisure activity per week had a 14 percent lower risk of coronary heart disease than those who reported no exercise. Legacy Medical Sales has exercise equipment in stock to help you get pumped and heart healthy, shop here: https://legacymedicalsales.com/product-category/physical-therapy/exercise-equipment/.
2. Get an annual physical that includes checking blood pressure, cholesterol levels, weight, and other heart health benchmarks. “These measures help determine a patient’s risk for heart disease, and allow me to offer correct advice regarding lifestyle changes (eating a healthier diet, reducing stress, and getting more sleep) and medications, if necessary,” added Dr. Manazir. Approximately 54% of strokes and 47% of coronary heart diseases, worldwide, are attributable to high blood pressure. Want to check your vitals at home? We have a variety of blood pressure cuffs, digital monitors, and accessories to help you take control of your own health, shop here: https://legacymedicalsales.com/product-category/diagnostic/blood-pressure/
3. Quit smoking. Smoking, the most preventable cause of premature death in the U.S., is a major cause of heart disease. This includes vaping, vapers have a 71% higher risk of stroke and 59% higher risk of developing a heart attack. It raises triglycerides, lowers good cholesterol, damages cells lining the blood vessels, and can cause thickening and narrowing of blood vessels. It can increase the buildup of plaque in the blood vessels and make the blood more sticky and likely to clot, which can block blood flow to the heart and brain. Even secondhand smoke can have a detrimental effect on heart health. In addition to hurting themselves, smokers may be harming others in the household. Protect your heart and the health of those around you by trying one of our smoking suppressors here: https://legacymedicalsales.com/product-category/health-medicine/smoking-suppressors-health-medicine/.
Legacy Medical Sales wants to help you stay heart healthy and educated about heart disease. By exercising regularly, checking your heart health benchmarks like blood pressure and cholesterol, and quitting smoking you can be on your way to creating healthy habits and a strong heart. Need assistance with finding the appropriate heart healthy products for your unique lifestyle? Simply email a representative at info@legacymedicalsales.com for customized solutions.