Heart disease is the leading cause of death of men and women in the nation, and now in the state of New Hampshire. More than 2,600 New Hampshire residents died from heart disease in 2018, making it the leading cause of death in the state according to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
The good news is, 80% of cardiovascular diseases can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle. To treat, beat and prevent heart disease and stroke, the American Heart Association recommends understanding family health history, knowing five key personal health numbers – these help determine risk for heart disease and stroke: total cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and body mass index – and making healthy behavior changes like moving more, eating smart and managing blood pressure.
“A healthy lifestyle is your greatest weapon against heart disease,” said Dr. James Flynn, President of the American Heart Association Board of Directors in New Hampshire and Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Interventional Cardiology, and the Transcatheter Valve Program at the New England Heart and Vascular Institute at Catholic Medical Center. “When you eat well and maintain a weight in a healthy range, your body more efficiently circulates blood and you may have more energy to pursue other positive health changes.”
February is American Heart Month, a time to reflect on our health and the health of our families. The American Heart Association advocates for being Healthy for Good, a revolutionary healthy living movement to inspire you to create lasting change in your health and your life, one small step at a time. The approach is simple: Eat smart. Add color. Move more. Be well. For more information, please visit Heart.org.