By Rosie Moore
Valentine’s Day is over and enjoyed by millions of people showing their love for others. February still remains the “heart” month because of its close connection with that amorous holiday. That heart that we celebrate each year is becoming more and more battered by disease. More and more people are dying from CVD (cardiac vascular disease) than ever before. Here are some sad statistics, compiled annually by the American Heart Association.
220.8 people die of CVD per 100,000, based on 2014 data.
23 million are estimated to have diabetes, based on 2011-2014 data.
43% of U.S. adults are estimated to have hypertension.
1 in 6 adult men and women in the United States are current smokers, based on 2015 data.
Heart disease kills more women in this country than all forms of cancer combined. Nearly one every minute. Fortunately, becoming aware of the unique symptoms and risks heart disease poses to women can help increase the chances of survival.
No wonder our hearts are giving out. The average age for a first heart attack in men is 65. That’s why coronary heart disease is labeled a disease of senior citizens.
Women with diabetes are 2.5 times more likely to have heart attacks.
It is quite rare, but a heart attack can occur in a person in his twenties. The most common risk factor in young heart attack patients, as compared to older patients, is smoking.
These are sad and alarming facts but there are ways to prevent heart attacks,
- Stop smoking
- Engage in physical activity
- Use diet therapy
- Maintain/reduce weight
- Control blood pressure
- Undergo cholesterol control or statin therapy
- Control blood sugar
- Limit alcohol intake.
LOVE YOUR HEART!
Thought for the day: Life is a coin, you can spend it any way you wish, but you can only spend it once.
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