What’s the No. 1 killer of adults in the United States? Heart disease. It is claiming lives every minute from sea to shining sea.
Although you may have heard that statistic before, you may be surprised to see just how far-reaching the epidemic has become in the United States.
The American Heart Association has compiled these statistics in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health to demonstrate the impact of heart disease on today’s population. Eye-opening, that’s for sure.
- Cardiovascular disease accounted for 1 in 3 U.S. deaths in 2008. That breaks down to 2,200 Americans per day, or 1 death every 39 seconds. About 150,000 of those deaths involved Americans less than 65 years old.
- Coronary heart disease was to blame for 1 in 6 U.S. deaths in 2008. That means someone dies every minute in America because of a coronary event.
- Strokes accounted for 1 in 18 deaths during that same period. That being said, strokes are actually more common than those numbers suggest. Using the same minute-to-minute calculations mentioned above, strokes happen every 40 seconds in the U.S. Some are a fatal. Many are not.
Although some Americans have a genetic predisposition for heart disease, many others are suffering from entirely preventable conditions. The American Heart Association offered these tips to help prevent heart disease.
- Don’t smoke! It’s that simple. Unfortunately, the nation still had 21.2 percent of men and 17.5 percent of women who smoked in 2010.
- Exercise regularly to reach and maintain a healthy weight, as well as prevent diabetes. In 2008, 8 percent of the adult population had been diagnosed with diabetes. That’s an astounding 18.3 million Americans. An additional 7 million had undiagnosed diabetes, with 36.8 percent testing pre-diabetic.
- Manage blood pressure and cholesterol with regular screenings and check-ups. In 2011, approximately 33.6 million Americans reported cholesterol levels higher than 240 mg/dL.
- Eat balanced and nutritious meals. And avoid drinks high in sugar. A Harvard University study found that a person’s chance of getting type 2 diabetes increased by 10 percent for every cup of soda sipped per day.
Lots to think about, right? If you’re interested in reducing your risk of heart disease, start with basic changes to your diet and activity. You’ll want to gradually increase your physical activity and decrease your intake of fat and calories.
What does that mean practically? The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of exercise five days a week. Begin with a morning walk or end with an evening bike ride. Gardening, playing with children and cleaning the house are all ways to keep your body moving.
Then refine your diet. Look for low-fat and fat-free options when making food choices. Try steaming vegetables instead of frying or sautéing them in oil.
Does that help? We hope so. A healthy lifestyle can mean a longer, happier life.