by Elvia Gabriel, ARNP-BC
W
e’ve all read or heard the statistics.
According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, heart disease is
the leading cause of death for women in the United
States, killing 289,758 women in 2013 – that’s about 1
in every 4 female deaths.
Although we are unable to change some risk factors,
such as family history, there are several key heart
disease prevention steps you can take to reduce your
risk. You can avoid heart problems in the future by
adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle today.
HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO ASSIST YOU IN
LIVING HEART-HEALTHY:
DON’ T
.
Smoking or using tobacco of any kind is one of the most
significant risk factors for developing heart disease. Chemicals
in tobacco can damage your heart and blood vessels, leading
to narrowing of the arteries due to plaque buildup that
ultimately leads to a heart attack. If you smoke and would
like to quit, visit the American Cancer Society’s website –
www.cancer.org – for smoking cessation information and
resources.
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