Your Health Unlocked Episodes
041: Menopause Must-Knows in 2024 with the National Menopause Foundation
March 21, 2024
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Health Info
Publication Date: February 14, 2022
By: Stacy Corneau
The leading cause of death in the United States is heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
When we hear “heart disease,” our minds often jump straight to heart attacks.
Did you know heart disease is an umbrella term referring to many types of heart conditions? It can include coronary artery disease, heart muscle disease, a stroke, rheumatic heart disease, heart attacks, and more.
In honor of American Heart Month and Valentine’s Day, we’re bringing you four ways you can keep your heart healthy year-round.
Food high in saturated fat and trans fat may increase your chances of heart disease.
But what does that actually mean?
Processed food, such as pre-packaged food with long ingredient lists filled with things most people can’t pronounce, have ingredients added to extend the shelf life or decrease production costs.
These ingredients, saturated fat and trans fat, can be harmful to your heart if too much is consumed over time.
We’re not suggesting ditching the chips forever!
But we are recommending having a balanced diet. Fresh fruit and vegetables, foods high in fiber, and limiting salt and sugar can help boost your heart health.
There’s lots of ways to add balance to your diet. Here are five:
Many people appreciate a beer after work, a glass of red wine with friends, or a sangria on a patio.
But excessive drinking can cause damage to women’s heart muscles and increase blood pressure. The CDC recommends no more than one drink per day for women.
If you’re interested in cutting back, eliminating alcohol from your lifestyle, or maintaining a sober lifestyle, many beer and wine brands carry alcohol-free versions. You can also create mocktails, meaning you can still enjoy your favorite drinks without the heart health concerns (or hangovers).
In 2019, 14% of adults – or 34.1 million people – in the United States smoked cigarettes. Women accounted for 12.7% of those people.
Smokers are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, or diseases that effect the heart. Smoking can lead to a stroke or coronary heart disease, two of the leading causes of death across the nation.
Quitting smoking can greatly improve your chances at bettering your heart health.
If you’re interested in quitting smoking, here are some helpful tips:
Maintaining an active lifestyle can help lower your blood cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.
All you need to reap the health benefits is 30 to 60 minutes per day of moderate-intensity exercise, such as biking or walking.
We know you’re busy, though. If carving out time to exercise is difficult, here are some creative ways to integrate it into your life:
Do you have tips for improving heart health? Chat with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter.