How healthy is your heart?
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), which develops when plaque builds up in your coronary arteries, is the most common form of heart disease in the United States. Are you doing all you can to prevent CAD?
What are the risk factors for CAD?
When it comes to CAD, there are risk factors you can try to control – but also ones you can’t, such as your age, gender, race, and family and personal cardiac history. The ones you can control include:
- Cholesterol and blood pressure
- Whether you smoke
- Weight and physical activity level
- Control and management of diabetes, if applicable
How can you keep your heart healthy?
Follow these steps to maintain or improve your heart health — no matter how healthy your heart may be.
- Eat a healthy diet, manage your weight and exercise regularly
- Manage your blood pressure and cholesterol
- Do not smoke
- Manage prediabetes and diabetes, if applicable
- Control stress and limit alcohol
- Take medications as prescribed
- Visit your doctor regularly
Have you been diagnosed with CAD?
If you have been diagnosed with CAD, our Chronic Care Program, along with your doctor, can help manage your disease. For more information on this program, visit HorizonBlue.com/chronic-care.
Sources:
American Heart Association
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
www.nhlbi.nih.gov
This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program.
