As THE #1 cause of death in the United States, heart disease and its complications will affect nearly all of us either directly or indirectly in our lifetime. Minorities seem to suffer the most effects with a seemingly cultural affinity to developing the disease.
Values/ habits + lifestyle = an overwhelmingly high proportion of suffers
Although genetics loads the “gun” for this and other common diseases/ conditions (i.e. diabetes, Alzheimer’s, cancer etc.), lifestyle pulls the “trigger.” Without a consistent practice of healthy habits, your genetics will have free range and be more likely to take over.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 9 out of 10 heart disease patients have at least one risk factor. This risk factors influence each other and one often leads to the other.
They include:
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Cigarette smoking
- Overweight and obesity
- Poor diet
- Physical inactivity
- Alcohol use
Small but consistent lifestyle changes can greatly influence one’s chances of developing heart disease. Why is something as simple diet and physical activity so difficult for us to adopt?
This series will give short tips, information, article summaries, and other thought provoking insight on heart disease, its causes, and preventative measures to attempt.
I am always open to questions and suggestions on what to include for this series. I feel as though it is too important to gloss over or just give one large, textbook- like post on the subject.
Cheers to your heart!
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