Take care of your heart
- Category: Senior Health Minute, Cardiology
- Posted On:
Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 17.9 million people died from CVD in 2019, representing 32% of all global deaths. Of these deaths, 85% were due to a heart attack or stroke.
What is cardiovascular disease?
Cardiovascular disease is a general term for a number of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. Some of these conditions include:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Heart valve problems
- Arrhythmia
RELATED: What to know about stroke and heart disease
Living a healthy lifestyle
Although you can't do anything about some risk factors for heart disease such as family history or increasing age, you do have control over lifestyle choices that can make a difference.
Heart-healthy lifestyle choices include:
- Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.
- If you smoke, quit. Avoid secondhand smoke as well.
- Regularly check your blood pressure and control high blood pressure.
- Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans-fats.
- If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar under control.
- Maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Manage stress. Emotional as well as physical stress is correlated to heart attacks. Make relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or tai chi, a part of your routine.
