Understanding and Avoiding Heart Disease
Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in Illinois? That’s why it’s so important for you to understand how to prevent and manage the disease.
Heart disease happens when your arteries become clogged. This lowers or stops blood flow in certain areas of your body, leading to heart attacks and other problems.
Common risk factors for heart disease include:
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- High cholesterol levels
- High blood pressure
- Unhealthy diet
- Stress
- Lack of physical activity
- Family history
- Obesity
At all stages of life, it’s important to manage risk factors to lower your chances of developing heart disease. Here are important tips:
- Eat healthy food: Choose meals and snacks that are low in saturated fat, salt, and cholesterol. Ensure your diet contains fresh fruits and veggies!
- Exercise: Regular physical activity can help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Avoid smoking: Tobacco use adds to your risk for heart disease. Find tips and resources to help you quit smoking.
- Limit alcohol use: Drinking too much alcohol can cause high blood pressure and other heart problems. Women should not have more than one drink a day. Men should not have more than two drinks a day.
- Medications: Talk with your primary care provider about medications that may be right for you.