HEALTH & WELLNESS
Six stats you didn’t know about
heart disease and stroke
forms plaque in your arteries. This can lead to
You might already know that heart disease is
HEALTHY LIVING TIPS FROM
blood clots that could cause a stroke or heart
the leading cause of death in the U.S. – and
attack.
maybe you knew that stroke is the fifth leading
cause. But those statistics only can tell you so
• We’re suffering from a high death rate from
much about heart disease and stroke. Here’s
cardiovascular disease. According to 2013
some telling information about these diseases
data, there’s an average of one death every 40 seconds due to carfrom the American Heart Association:
diovascular disease.
• We’re not getting enough exercise. As of 2014, only half of American adults were getting the federally recommended levels of aer- • Our children and teens
are at risk for heart disobic activity. Exercise is vital for overall cardiovascular health and
ease and stroke due to
lowers your risk for heart attack and stroke.
type 2 diabetes. Type 2
• We eat too much salt. As of 2010, an estimated 58,000 U.S. cardiabetes in children and
diovascular disease deaths each year resulted from excessive
adolescents is on the rise,
sodium intake. You can reduce sodium intake by cutting down on
increasing by more than
processed and prepared foods.
30 percent between 2001 and 2009. Help kids avoid high-calorie
treats by stocking up on healthy snacks such as apples, oranges,
• We don’t check our blood pressure. An estimated 17.3 percent of
string cheese, sugar-free ice pops or gelatin, almonds and freshU.S. adults have high blood pressure, but don’t know it. People
cut vegetables with hummus.
aged 18 to 39 should have their blood pressure checked every two
years. Those aged 40 and older should have their blood pressure
checked once per year.
For an appointment or more information about how Deborah Heart
• We can do better at controlling our high cholesterol. Less than and Lung Center’s leading-edge technologies can improve your quality
half of adults have ideal cholesterol levels. Too much cholesterol of life, call 800-555-1990 or visit www.demanddeborah.org.
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SEPTEMBER 2016