Cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the U.S. According to the National Education Program (NCEP) guidelines, 50% of people who have a heart attack have normal cholesterol.
Other factors are involved including inflammation, oxidative stress and autoimmune disease of the vascular system. I gathered some interesting research about this number 1 killer. Here it goes:
1. We only need 10 minutes of brisk exercise a day to reduce heart attack risk by nearly 50%. Thirty minutes cuts the risk by 75%
2. There is a 50% reduction in heart attack risk 1 year after a smoker quits the habit.
3. Spending more than 4 hours a day in front of a computer or television can double ones’s risk of a heart attack.
4. While genetics plays a role, one international study found that 90% of the risks associated with heart disease are within our control (blood pressure, physical activity, smoking, diet).
5. Best way to survive a heart attack is recognize the symptoms, call 911, and chew (not swallow) an aspirin while waiting.
6. Recognize the symptoms: Over 70% of women have flu-like symptoms and NO chest pain at all! Others can feel chest pressure, squeezing or tightening that can radiate down the left arm, jaw or between the shoulders. Many people have nausea, indigestion, lightheadedness, sweating, shortness of breath and exhaustion.
7. Stress is considered an underlying factor in 70% of heart disease. Research shows that 1 single episode of anger increases the risk of a heart attack by 230%.
8. According to the American Heart Association, 19% of men and 26% of women over age 45 die within 1 year of having their first heart attack.
9. Best time to get to the hospital after the onset of heart attack symptoms is 1 hour. The typical time is 3-4 hours. The more time it takes, the more heart muscle dies.
10. Cardiovascular disease starts in your teens and 20’s. Autopsy reports from Korean War vets and Vietnam vets showed people just 18-20 years old had extensive coronary heart disease. The fact that childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years clearly shows the urgency and seriousness of this growing health problem.
Take good care of your heart…
References: Faass, N., “Dr. Mark Houston: A Nw Perspective on Cardiovascular Disease”.Townsend Letter- May 2012. p. 69-73.
Winslow, R. “The Guide to Beating a Heart Attack”. WSJ, April 17, 2012
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