Heart disease, including stroke, is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Every year, more than one million Americans suffer a heart attack and approximately 600,000 die from heart disease — that’s one out of every four deaths.

The situation is alarming, but there’s good news: heart disease is preventable and controllable. Anyone can start reducing their risk of heart disease by taking small steps to bring themselves closer to a healthy heart.

One Step at a Time

As you begin your journey to a healthier heart, keep these things in mind:

Don’t become overwhelmed. Every step you take brings you closer to a healthier heart.

Don’t go it alone. The journey is more fun when you have company; ask friends and family to join you.

Don’t get discouraged. This prescription for a healthy heart may seem daunting at first, but by taking small steps each day to achieve your goal.

Reward yourself. Find fun things to do to decrease your stress: Round up some colleagues for a lunchtime walk, join a singing group, or have a healthy dinner with family or friends.

If you want to make a difference in your community, spread the word about strategies for preventing heart disease and encourage people to live heart healthy lives.

Written By: massgov



Tags: American Heart Month, be active, cholesterol, diabetes, eat healthy, health, heart, quit smoking, stroke