Preventing Heart Disease: Healthy Living Habits

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Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the U.S. The most common type of heart disease in the United States is coronary artery disease, which affects the blood flow to the heart and can cause a heart attack.

Find out if you are at risk by getting an annual exam and learning your numbers, including blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. You and your health care team can work together to prevent or treat medical conditions that lead to heart disease. If you take medication to treat high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes, follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. Discuss your treatment plan regularly and bring a list of questions to your appointments and ask if you don’t understand something.
         
By living a healthy lifestyle, you can help keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar normal and lower your risk for heart disease and heart attack. A healthy lifestyle includes the following:

  • Eating a healthy diet, including plenty of fruits and vegetables
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Getting enough physical activity
  • Being tobacco-free
  • Limiting alcohol use

To learn more, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/healthy_living.htm

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