Be Heart Smart! Part 1

February is National Heart Month and we want you to become more aware about the leading cause of death in the United States.  We will share with you facts and knowledge to help you reduce your risk!

Heart Disease Facts (from the CDC)

• Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. Half of the deaths due to heart disease in 2006 were in women.
• In 2006, a total of 631,636 people in the United States died of heart disease.* Of the deaths that year, 26%—or more than one in every four—were caused by heart disease.
• In the United States, someone has a heart attack every 34 seconds. Each minute, someone in the United States dies from a heart disease-related event.
• In 2010, heart disease cost the United States $316.4 billion.  This total includes the cost of health care services, medications, and lost productivity.

*  For this fact sheet, the term “heart disease” refers to several different types of heart conditions. The most common type is coronary artery disease, also known as coronary heart disease.
Risk Factors we can Control...

Nine out of 10 heart disease patients have at least one risk factor.  Several medical conditions and lifestyle choices can put people at a higher risk for heart disease, including:

• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Cigarette smoking
• Overweight and obesity
• Poor diet
• Physical inactivity
• Alcohol use
• Stress

Risk Factors we CANNOT Control...

• Age
• Family History
• Gender
• Race

Stay tuned for more information next Wednesday on how to reduce your risk for heart disease!