February marks American Heart Month, a critical opportunity to evaluate and enhance cardiovascular health. Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States and many other regions around the world. This situation highlights the necessity for prevention, timely detection, and access to quality healthcare. The encouraging news is that a significant number of heart disease cases are preventable, and even small, consistent lifestyle changes can greatly improve long-term health outcomes.
Simple Steps to Protect Your Heart
According to Alison L. Bailey, M.D., vice chief of Cardiology at the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute, safeguarding heart health begins with straightforward actions that nearly every adult can integrate into their daily routines. “Anything you do that moves your body counts,” Bailey stated, emphasizing the importance of regular physical activity. Both aerobic exercise and resistance training serve as effective means to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Nutrition plays a pivotal role in prevention as well. A heart-healthy eating pattern includes a variety of vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains while minimizing saturated fats and highly processed foods. This approach helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels, weight, and blood pressure.
Bailey also pointed out two often-overlooked factors: adequate sleep and tobacco exposure. Adults are encouraged to aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night, as insufficient sleep is linked to increased blood pressure, diabetes, and a higher risk of heart disease. When addressing tobacco, Bailey’s message is clear: there is no safe level of exposure.
Understanding Key Health Indicators
Another crucial aspect of heart health is understanding personal health metrics. An optimal blood pressure reading is below 120/80 mmHg, while low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol should be kept as low as possible. Additionally, fasting blood sugar levels should remain under 100 mg/dL to prevent prediabetes. Maintaining a body mass index (BMI) under 25 and ensuring waist measurements fall within healthy ranges further mitigates risk.
Women face distinct cardiovascular challenges. Statistics reveal that one in three women will die from heart disease, and nearly 45 percent currently live with some form of cardiovascular condition. Pregnancy can also unveil previously undetected risks, with 10-20 percent of women experiencing cardiovascular issues during this time.
This February, the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute encourages individuals to take decisive steps toward improving their heart health. Simple actions like increasing physical activity, enhancing dietary choices, monitoring blood pressure, or eliminating tobacco use can have a profound impact.
By prioritizing prevention, early detection, and advanced treatment, WVU Medicine offers exceptional cardiovascular care to communities throughout the region. For more information, visit WVUMedicine.org/Heart.
