Heart disease and stroke, the number one and three causes of death of Americans..
Seven lifestyle behaviors for healthy heart...
The American Heart Association calls these “Life’s Simple Seven.” Improvements in these seven areas can greatly impact quality of life and life span. Life’s Simple Seven recommends that people:
1. Stop smoking
2. Get active
3. Lose weight
4. Eat better
5. Manage blood pressure
6. Control cholesterol
7. Reduce blood sugar
Regular exercise, especially aerobic exercise, has many benefits. It can:
.Strengthen your heart and cardiovascular system.
.Improve your circulation and help your body use oxygen better.
.Improve your heart failure symptoms.
.Increase energy levels so you can do more activities without becoming tired or short of breath.
.Increase endurance.
.Lower blood pressure.
.Improve muscle tone and strength.
.Improve balance and joint flexibility.
.Strengthen bones.
.Help reduce body fat and help you reach a healthy weight.
.Help reduce stress, tension, anxiety, and depression.
.Boost self-image and self-esteem.
.Improve sleep.
.Make you feel more relaxed and rested.
.Make you look fit and feel healthy.
My Life Check is an accurate, personal assessment in the seven areas. After entering your information, the personal heart score will suggest simple steps to improve your heart health and quality of life. It will provide specific action plans that designed to help change behaviors and realize individual health goals.
These measures have one unique thing in common: any person can make these changes, the steps are not expensive to take and even modest improvements will make a big difference.
It’s never too late to make better choices for health. It’s better to stop heart disease before it even starts. The AHA recommends starting with small, simple changes and goals. The idea is to eventually stop making poor lifestyle choices.
Research shows those who can reach cardiovascular wellness goals by age 50 can expect to live another 40 years free from heart disease and stroke.
How Often Should I Exercise?
In general, to achieve maximum benefits, you should gradually work up to an aerobic session lasting 20 to 30 minutes, at least three to four times a week. Exercising every day or every other day will help you keep a regular aerobic exercise schedule.