Stamp out heart disease in your body

July 02, 2009 2:00 PM

Are we killing ourselves?

Heart disease:

Coronary heart disease affects about 14 million people in the U. S., a number one killer in the country. It occurs when fatty materials build up in arteries, which supply blood to the heart. And, this can slow blood flow to the heart, which is how the heart gets oxygen and nutrients. Fat can build up and completely block the flow of blood to the heart.

Risk factors that can be controlled include high blood pressure and cholesterol, tobacco use and obesity. Other factors that one has no control over are increasing age and hereditary risks.

Prevention:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, everyone can lower their risk of heart disease by:

•· Controlling high cholesterol

•· Controlling high blood pressure

•· Preventing and controlling diabetes

•· Avoiding tobacco

•· Limiting alcohol use

•· Maintaining a healthy weight

•· Exercising

Obesity in America:

People with excess fat, especially at the waistline, are most at risk for heart disease, even if they have no other risk factors. The extra weight causes extra work for the heart. Obesity also leads to high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over the past 20 years, obesity in America has increased by 60 percent. Over the past 30 years, obesity in children has tripled. Obesity is not only linked to heart disease but also to stroke and cancer.

Other top killers:

After heart disease, stroke and cancer are the second and third top killers.

To learn more, contact:

Penelope Slade-Sawyer, P.T., M.S.W.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Rockville, MD

(240) 453-8280

http://odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov

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