Heart Disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States.
“Obesity, uncontrolled diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking all increase one’s chance of developing heart disease,” said SSM Health Dean Medical Group family medicine physician Dr. Christopher Taylor.
The good news is that lifestyle changes can improve one’s heart health.
“It’s never too late to begin a heart healthy journey,” Dr. Taylor said.
Some basic steps to get started:
- Stay connected with your primary care provider and control any chronic health conditions.
- Introduce more heart-healthy foods into your diet, like vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
- Try to eat fewer unhealthy foods that are processed or have a lot of salt, saturated fat or sugar.
- Move more. Go for a walk, take the stairs, or break a sweat while cleaning the house. Every little bit helps.
- Stop smoking! Smoking greatly increases your risk for heart disease and other serious health conditions.
Learn more about strategies to improve heart health.
