Despite the research, warnings and innovations geared toward keeping our
hearts healthy, heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death
in the US.
Heart attacks strike someone in this country about every 43 seconds. Last
year the Food & Drug Administrationcited the biggest two-year decline
in life expectancy in a century. Alarmingly, Louisiana has one of the
lowest life expectancies in the country—an average 72.2 years compared
to the national average of 76.4 years.
Keep in mind that family history poses significant risk to heart disease,
but adapting heart healthy lifestyles helps mitigate those risks.
Do Stay Active.
Being sedentary impacts your physical and mental health. Increased cardiovascular
exercise reduces the amount of energy it takes for the heart to beat and
strengthens muscles. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
recommends at least 150 minutes of exercise weekly for adults.
Do Follow a Healthy Diet.
Heart healthy diets include a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean protein,
legumes and whole grains. The American Heart Association ranks the DASH
and Mediterranean diets as top heart-healthy eating plans. Avoid processed
foods and foods high in sodium and added sugars. The body is 70% water,
so drink plenty of water.
Do Maintain a Healthy Body Weight.
Excess weight, particularly around the waist, increases heart disease risk.
The heavier you are, the higher the risk. Losing just 5–10% of body
weight can help improve blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Do Get More Sleep.
A lack of quality sleep can impact heart health. Aim for 7-to-9 hours of
sleep nightly, and try to maintain the same sleep-wake schedule each day.
Seek treatment for sleep apnea, which causes abnormal heart rhythms.
Do Manage Stress.
Chronic stress contributes to high blood pressure and heart disease. Include
stress-management techniques such as meditation, massages, yoga, journaling
or quiet nature walks in your daily routine.
Do Limit Alcohol.
Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure and lead to heart failure.
A new surgeon general advisory also links alcohol to increased cancer
risk. Men should limit their intake to two drinks per day and women to
one drink per day.
Do Schedule Routine Health Visits.
Keeping healthy hearts includes maintaining healthy blood glucose, cholesterol
and blood pressure levels. Monitor those with routine doctor visits. Stay
up-to-date with vaccines to help protect the heart. Brush, floss and schedule
regular dental appointments as gum disease is associated with heart disease.
Don't Smoke, Vape or Chew.
Tobacco poses significant risks to the heartand entire body. It damages
blood vessels, causing plaque buildup that can trigger heart attacks and
heart failure.
In the event you need heart care, you can put your trust in Thibodaux Regional,
named a 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospital in the Nation in 2024 for heart
care by PINC for providing the highest quality care. Learn more about
our heart services here:
https://www.thibodaux.com/centers-services/heart-vascular-center/ or for resources on improving lifestyle health contact Thibodaux Regional
Wellness Education Center, 985.493.4765.