Ways to Lower Your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

 Every 40 seconds someone in the US dies from heart disease, stroke, or other forms of cardiovascular disease. Half of Americans are living with some form of cardiovascular disease. It is the leading cause of death globally. Cardiovascular disease includes coronary heart disease, stroke, heart attack, and high blood pressure. Here are some ways to reduce your risk:

1. Blood pressure control.
2. Adequate cholesterol control. Discuss your cholesterol goal with your physician.  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/cholesterol/art-20045192
3. Avoid tobacco use or quit smoking. https://smokefree.gov/
4. Eat a healthy diet. Eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, lean vegetable or animal protein, and fish. Minimize intake of refined carbohydrates, sweetened beverages, processed meats, or trans fat.
5. Maintain a healthy body weight. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm
6. If you have diabetes, achieve optimal control of your blood sugars.
7. Exercise: shoot for 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise or greater than 75 minutes of vigorous exercise. Consult your physician prior to beginning an exercise regimen.
8. Discuss aspirin use with your physician. Low dose aspirin for primary prevention is now reserved for select high risk patients. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/daily-aspirin-therapy/art-20046797