Have a healthy heart
All the better to love with, we hear
Monday, February 8, 2010
In the United States, more people die each year of heart disease than of any other disease, accident or other cause of death. In fact, every 25 seconds, an American suffers from a coronary event such as a heart attack, and every minute, someone will die from one.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. According to the CDC, an estimated 1,255,000 people had heart attacks in 2009. These statistics are staggering but you don't have to be a part of the statistics; there are steps every person can take to stay healthy and prevent heart disease.
Heart-Healthy Eating
Eating foods full of saturated fat and cholesterol leads to blockages in the arteries which cause heart disease. So skip the fried foods, full-fat dairy, sugary foods and high-fat meat, and instead protect your heart with whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, low-fat dairy and healthy oils.
The fiber found in veggies, fruit and whole grain can help lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease. Protein sources such as salmon contain omega-3 fatty acids which lower blood fats and reduce the risk of cardiac sudden death. Heart-healthy oils such as olive oil and canola oil help decrease your cholesterol.
Here are some heart-healthy food choices:
Fruits and Vegetables
All fresh fruits and vegetables!
Beware: If your veggies are fried, covered in butter or cheese sauce, or your fruit is swimming in sugar, you aren't doing much good for your heart. Use spices like garlic, pepper, rosemary, etc. to make your veggies taste great and remember that fruit is already sweet; there is no need to pile on more sugar (that means no canned fruit in syrup!).
Lean and low-fat protein
Skinless poultry
Salmon
Lean (93%) ground beef
Soy products
Fat free or reduced fat dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt
Beans/legumes
Egg whites
Beware: Even lean protein such as chicken turns into a saturated fat feast when fried, so always opt for grilled or baked protein.
Healthy Fats
Beware: Be on the lookout for saturated fats such as those found in butter, some margarine and other oils. These fats can clog arteries which may lead to heart disease.
Whole Grains
Oatmeal
100% whole grain/whole wheat bread
Whole wheat pasta
Brown rice
High-fiber cereal
Beware: Just because a package says that something contains whole grains doesn't mean it's good for you. Make sure it's 100% whole grain. When a food mostly contains enriched flour or white rice, that means that fiber, vitamins and minerals that make whole grains regulate blood pressure, are stripped out. So read labels!
Signs of a heart attack
Do you know how to spot a heart attack? Here are some warning signs.
-Chest pain or discomfort
-Discomfort in other areas of the upper body such as arms, back neck, stomach or jaw
-Shortness of breath
-Cold sweat
-Nausea or lightheadedness
The most common symptom of heart attack in both men and women is chest pain or discomfort but women are more likely to experience the other common symptoms.
If you or someone else is experiencing these symptoms, call 9-1-1 right away. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Heart Healthy Workout
Eating well is only one half of the equation when it comes to protecting yourself from heart disease. Regular exercise helps reduce — and sometimes even eliminate — many of the risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.
The American Heart Association recommends a person do at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous cardiovascular exercise in your target heart rate (THR) on most days of the week to see the reduced risk of heart disease.
Heart-healthy exercises
Running
Walking
Jogging
Biking
Taking a group fitness class
Hiking
Exercising on an elliptical or other cardiovascular machine at your gym
Sports that include continuous running such as basketball and soccer
How do you find your target heart rate? It's actually fairly simple. To find your target heart rate, start by taking 220 minus your age. This number will be your maximum heart rate. Your THR is between 55% and 85% or your maximum heart rate. Therefore, take your maximum heart rate and multiply it by .55 and .85 and there you go...your very own target heart rate!
You can measure your heart rate on most pieces of aerobic equipment or by using a heart rate monitor (ranging from $20-$150 at Target, Wal-mart, Dick's Sporting Goods, etc).
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