The following tips are brought to you by the Iowa Heart Center and Mercy — the best for Cardiovascular Care. Iowa Heart and Mercy participate in ground breaking clinical research trial and offer cutting edge treatments, including minimally invasive heart surgery and heart valve repair. Find out more by visiting www.iowaheart.org.
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Manage your blood pressure. It's sometimes called the "Silent Killer" because it has no symptoms. Keep blood pressure below 120 over 80.
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It's the fat-like, waxy substance found in the bloodstream. LDL is the "bad" and HDL is the "good." Keep total cholesterol less than 200.
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Adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease or a stroke. Keep fasting blood glucose less than 100.
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Eat a heart healthy diet consisting of at least 4 servings of fruits and vegetables and at least 3 servings of fiber-rich whole grains per day.
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Exercising for as little as 30 minutes each day helps lower blood pressure, increases good cholesterol, controls blood sugar, reduces stress and controls body weight.
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Smokers have a higher risk of developing hardening of the arteries which can lead to coronary artery disease, heart attack and stroke.
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Reduce your risk for heart disease by losing weight and keeping it off. Too much fat - especially at your waist - means a higher risk for high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.
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Reduce your risk for heart disease by losing weight and keeping it off. Too much fat - especially at your waist - means a higher risk for high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.
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Stress raises blood pressure, heart rate, and levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Take time out each day to relax and breathe.
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Eat a healthy heart diet consisting of at least 2 servings of fish per week. Also keep sodium to less than 1,500 MG per day.
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Risk factors for heart disease include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, smoking, physical inactivity and family history of heart disease.
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Chest discomfort, shortness of breath, discomfort in the arms, neck, jaw or back, sweating, nausea or dizziness all may be signs. Call 9-1-1 immediately if you believe you are having a heart attack.
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