A Heart-Smart Prevention Plan for Coronary Heart Disease

What better time to address coronary heart disease than in February, American Heart Month!

Coronary heart disease is defined as any disorder affecting the heart’s ability to function normally. It is the number one killer of Americans, causing half a million sudden deaths every year. Evidence indicates that 80% to 90% of the people who develop coronary heart disease have at least one major controllable risk factor.

The good news is that by addressing these risk factors, heart disease can be controlled or even prevented. Healthy lifestyle habits, such as exercising daily, eating healthy, limiting alcohol consumption, and avoiding tobacco, all help to reduce the likelihood of developing coronary heart disease.

Making positive changes in the following areas, in addition to consulting with a physician, can help lower the risk of heart disease.

• Stress Management
  Minimize stress by engaging in meditation, visualization, deep breathing, or yoga.
  The less stress placed on your heart, the healthier it will be!



• Diet
  Choose foods that can reduce cholesterol and improve heart health. Develop a healthy eating plan that consists of fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains. Avoid saturated fats as much as possible and aim to reduce your sodium intake.



• Exercise
  Regular exercise that includes both aerobic activity and weight training can improve heart health. Stronger muscles and a conditioned heart will help lower both your heart rate and blood pressure. At the same time, increasing your metabolism can help you to control and even lose weight.

Your health insurance carrier offers a variety of ways to help you improve the health of your heart. Wellness benefits and disease management programs are just two examples of services that may be available to you.

Celebrate American Heart Month by taking positive steps towards better health!

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