Heart Disease: Are You Heart-Healthy?

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in Canada, claiming more than 33,600 lives per year. To put this into perspective, every 7 minutes in Canada, someone dies from heart disease or a stroke. That’s 206 people dying from cardiovascular disease every day. Economically, cardiovascular disease costs the Canadian economy more than $20.9 billion every year.

While your risk of heart disease increases with age, it doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of getting older. Making healthy lifestyle choices early can reduce your risk factors.

Here are some tips for staying heart-healthy:

Stay active:

• Adults should accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic activity per week. These can include biking, jogging and swimming.

Reduce alcohol consumption:

• Excess alcohol intake can worsen health conditions that contribute to heart disease including blood pressure, arrhythmias and high cholesterol levels.

Maintain a healthy diet:

• Make sure to include fresh fruits and vegetables in your daily diet while avoiding saturated fats, salts and foods that contain high levels of dietary cholesterol, like fatty meats.

Watch your stress levels:

• High stress levels can compound heart disease risks, discouraging your ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Try to find stress-free alternatives and lower your risk of heart disease.

Preparing for a potential heart attack now could save your life later!