Okay, this was going to bee about women’s heart health, and the upcoming Women’s Health Expo on February 9, and wearing red to support educational initiatives sponsored by the American Heart Association, since it is National Heart Month. All important, right?
However, this weekend my younger brother had a heart attack. What? Thankfully, he survived the incident and will need to make some lifestyle changes in the next few months. But who wants that kind of wake-up call?
Let’s review some sobering statistics. According to the CDC, over half a million people die of heart disease in the United States each year and it is the leading cause of death for both men and women. And over 47% of adults have at least one of the three leading risk factors: high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking.
Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease and is the buildup of plaque in the arteries, narrowing them and reducing the blood flow to the heart. There are other types of heart disease that are congenital, and you could say some people are “born with it.”
Most heart disease is caused by high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking.
Lifestyle causes are eating an unhealthy diet, not getting enough regular exercise and smoking – all habits that can be changed. Diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are contributors to heart disease and are manageable with lifestyle changes and medications. Do you see where I am going here?
Making changes in your eating – what you eat, how much you eat, and how you eat – can reduce your risk of heart disease. Making better choices in what you put in your mouth and how much you consume contribute to less risk. Equally important is slowing down to enjoy your food, not feeling rushed and stressed.
Regular exercise is another lifestyle factor that will ward off heart disease and one of the simplest ways to do this is to walk. Being sedentary, no matter what you weigh, is bad for your health.
Obviously, quit smoking.
Try to remove stress from your life, as much as possible or find ways to combat it. Meditate, do yoga, exercise, have sex – find your release from chronic stress, anxiety and anger to reduce your heart disease risk and your waist (stress increases cortisol, which in turn causes you to store fat around your middle).
Plan to succeed by getting the support you need! As a Health Coach, I specialize in helping you create a completely personalized “roadmap to health” that suits your unique body, lifestyle, preferences, and goals.
Are you ready to lose weight, eat healthy, and feel fantastic? Ready to get started? Schedule an initial complimentary consultation with me today—or pass this offer on to someone you care about!
To get you jump-started this week, please take me up on these FREE opportunities to start making positive changes today:
A 3- day heart-healthy Mediterranean diet (including recipes and shopping list)
An invitation to the Deborah Hospital Womens Health Expo this Saturday (FREE MASSAGES)
An opportunity to join a walking club to get moving https://www.meetup.com/Healthy-Mount-Holly/
Hey, I know you didn’t get to where you are overnight. Just take one step towards a healthier you today, you won’t regret it.