Are You Upping Your Risk of a Heart Attack?
By Sara Butler
How well do you take care of your heart? Most people are well aware of the threat of heart disease and how to prevent it, but most people don't do enough to help keep their heart as healthy as they can. What's worse is that many people sabotage themselves with behaviors that they don't realize are actually bad for their hearts.
Heart disease is the biggest killer of people in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The American Heart Association says that 715,000 Americans have a heart attack each year. But there's good news out there. You can make some simple and easy lifestyle changes that can reduce your heart attack risk. Here's are a few to help you get started.
Check Your Blood Pressure
Do you know if your blood pressure is in a healthy range or not? In 2018 the American Heart Associated adjusted blood pressure guidelines, making them lower than they had previously been. Healthy blood pressure for adults is now 130/80. You may have hypertension and not realize it.
Get your blood pressure checked regularly and follow a heart-healthy, lower-sodium diet as a part of your healthy living plan. Exercise is a good idea too in order to keep your heart muscle strong.
Drinking Sugary Drinks
How many sodas do you drink over the course of a day? Far too many people drink sugary drinks such as soda and juice, which add empty calories to your diet and increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Try to make your soda habit a water or seltzer habit -- and avoid the artificial sweeteners in diet beverages, which have been shown to increase your risk of type 2 diabetes. Drinking water is the best choice for your longevity, so more of it is always going to be a great idea.
Sleeping Too Much
Sleep falls into the category of getting too much of a good thing. As you get older, getting more than eight hours of sleep per night increases your risk of cardiovascular disease. In fact, the American Heart Association found that 11 hours of sleep per night was associated with over a 40 percent increase in cardiovascular disease. So, get the sleep you need but try not to get too much.
If you're worried about the health of your heart or are looking for ways to lower your risk of heart attack, talk to the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic today.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Marietta, Ga.