Heart Health Month is a time to learn what you can do to have a healthier heart and to live a healthier, longer life. Heart disease, including stroke, is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S. You are at higher risk of heart disease if you are:
■ A woman age 55 or older
■ A man age 45 or older
■ A person with a family history of early heart disease
Heart disease can be prevented. To help keep your heart healthy:
■ Watch your weight.
■ Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.
■ Control your cholesterol and blood pressure.
■ If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
■ Get active and eat healthfully.
■ Talk to your doctor about taking aspirin every day if you are a man over the age of 45 or a woman over 55.
■ Manage stress.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about ways to improve these aspects of your life!
— Source: American Heart Association