In the United States, one in every four deaths is due to heart disease.
In 2017, 124 people in Barry County and 221 people in Eaton County died of heart disease, making it the leading cause of death in both counties.
Heart disease is serious, but can often be prevented. Anyone can develop heart disease, and younger adults are developing it more and more frequently. High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking are the top three risk factors for heart disease, and half of all Americans have at least one of these factors.
Other factors include obesity, diabetes, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diet. Fortunately, addressing these factors can lower your risk.
You can take control of your heart health by:
*Not smoking. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, quitting can improve your heart health.
*Managing conditions. Work with your health care provider to manage high blood pressure and cholesterol. This can include taking prescribed medication.
*Eating a healthy diet. Food low in trans-fat, saturated fat, and added sugar and salt is best for your heart.
*Staying active. At least 150 minutes of physical activity per week is recommended.
Additionally, Feb. 1st is National Wear Red Day. Heart disease is the leading killer of women in particular, and causes one in every three deaths. The American Heart Association encourages individuals observing the day to wear red clothing to raise awareness.
For more information on heart disease, visit https://www.cdc.gov/features/heartmonth/index.html or https://bit.ly/2HJtfGH. For information about National Wear Red Day and women’s heart health, visit https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/about-heart-disease-in-women/facts.
