A healthy diet and lifestyle are your best weapons to fight cardiovascular disease. It’s not as hard as you may think! Remember, it's the overall pattern of your choices that counts. Make the simple steps below part of your life for long-term benefits to your health and your heart.
Regular physical activity can help you maintain your weight, keep off weight that you lose and help you reach physical and cardiovascular fitness. If you can’t do at least 30 minutes at one time, you can add up 10-minute sessions throughout the day.
If you would benefit from lowering your blood pressure or cholesterol, the American Heart Association recommends 40 minutes of aerobic exercise of moderate to vigorous intensity three to four times a week.
You may be eating plenty of food, but your body may not be getting the nutrients it needs to be healthy. Nutrient-rich foods have vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients but are lower in calories. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables may help you control your weight, cholesterol and your blood pressure.
To get the nutrients you need, eat a dietary pattern that emphasizes:
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-fruits, vegetables,
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-whole grains,
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-low-fat dairy products,
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-poultry, fish and nuts,
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-while limiting red meat and sugary foods and beverages.
The most common diseases vary depending on where you live in the world. Many diseases still common in impoverished areas do not exist in developed countries. The most common diseases in the United States account for 7 out of 10 deaths each year, with about 133 million people suffering at least one chronic illness.
Common Cold
The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory system with symptoms of a runny nose, itchy throat and sneezing. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases reports that people in the United States suffer about 1 billion colds each year.
Heart Disease
Heart disease tops the list of killers of men and women worldwide, accounting for 40 percent of the deaths in the United States, according to the Mayo Clinic. Heart disease includes heart attack, valve disorders, rhythm irregularities and infections.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, affecting 23.6 million Americans, reports the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes is a condition where the blood glucose is too high.