Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, and it is the cause of 1 in every 4 deaths annually according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As a way to bring awareness to this epidemic in February, we observe American Heart Health Month and this Friday, February 2, 2018, is National Wear Red Day.
Heart disease has many names; you might hear it referred to as coronary artery disease or cardiovascular disease. Regardless of the name, this condition refers to the buildup of plaque (fat, cholesterol and other substances) in the coronary arteries which reduces or completely blocks the blood flow through an artery. When the blood doesn’t flow through the artery correctly, this can cause a heart attack.
The CDC offers these healthy tips for to prevent heart disease:
- Eat a healthy diet
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Get enough physical activity
- No smoking
- Limit alcohol use
For more information on heart health visit the following links: