Want to reduce your risk of death from cardiovascular diseases and stoke? A few years ago, the American Heart Association (AHA) launched a program known as “Life’s Simple 7.” Their goal is to improve the cardiovascular health of all American by 20% while reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke by 20% – all by the year 2020. To achieve this goal, their program aims to help people identify and adopt healthier lifestyle choices.
Would you like to find out what your heart health is? You can get started with AHA’s personalized “My Life Check” assessment. In just a few minutes you can have your own personalized heart score and a life plan to help you on your way to a better lifestyle and a plan for better heart health. You will know how you are doing with each of the “Life’s Simple 7” health measures. Knowing your blood pressure and cholesterol level is helpful when doing this assessment, but not necessary. The results of this assessment will show you where you stand on the seven recommended areas of focus and will create a plan of action customized to your lifestyle.
So, What is the Simple 7?
- Get Active– Regular physical activity will help reduce your risk of heart disease
- Control Cholesterol– High cholesterol puts you at major risk for coronary heart disease and stroke
- Eat Better– Reducing trans fat and increase your consumption of fruits and vegetables
- Manage Blood Pressure– High blood pressure is the single most significant risk factor for heart disease
- Lose Weight– 145 million people are overweight or obese and that is a major risk for the 76.9 million men and 68.1 women who are overweight
- Reduce Blood sugar– Diabetes is a major but controllable risk factor for cardiovascular disease
- Stop Smoking– A smoker has a much higher risk factor for developing many chronic conditions
Source: https://www.sageminder.com/SeniorHealth/Articles/tabid/72/itemid/136/amid/476/how-to-have-a-healthy-heart-the-ahas-simple-7.aspx