The American Heart Association (AHA) has identified seven “simple” steps you can take for a healthy heart.
Published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, the AHA says ideal cardiovascular health for adults is defined by these health measures:
1. Never smoked or quit more than a year ago.
2. A healthy body mass index (BMI)
3. Physical activity, and the more the better. The new measure says at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise is necessary for ideal health, or 75 minutes weekly of vigorous physical activity.
4. Blood pressure below 120/80.
5. Fasting blood glucose less than 100 milligrams/deciliter, a fasting measure of blood sugar level.
6. Total cholesterol of less than 200 milligrams/deciliter.
7. Eating a healthy diet. Four to five of the key components of a healthy diet are followed. For a 2,000-calorie diet, these include:
* At least 4.5 cups of fruits and vegetables per day
* At least two 3.5 oz. servings of fish per week, preferably oily fish
* At least three 1-ounce servings of fiber rich foods per day
* Limiting sodium to less than 1,500 milligrams a day
* Drinking no more than 36 ounces weekly of sugar-sweetened beverages
The AHA hopes the seven factors could improve the cardiovascular health of Americans by 20% by the year 2020, and also reduce deaths from cardiovascular-related diseases and strokes by 20%.
How is your cardiovascular health? Schedule a Cenegenics-Carolinas comprehensive health evaluation today. Call (843) 577-8484 or email us for more information.
Tags: Age Management, Chronic heart disease, diet, health, Prevention