There are many ways to reduce your risk of heart disease, including exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and keeping a healthy weight. New research has found that more than half of US adults don’t know heart disease is the leading cause of death.
Fifty- one per cent of respondents in a 2023 survey conducted on behalf of the American Heart Association did not identify heart disease as the leading cause of death in the US. Only 49% of people named heart disease as the leading cause of death. Meanwhile, 16% said they didn’t know the leading cause, and 18% listed cancer as the top cause of death. Health experts say the following are some simple ways you can help reduce your risk.
Know your risk: Knowing your risk can be an important first step in reducing it. Dr. Norman Lepor, cardiologist and director of the National Heart Institute, says physicians will look at several factors to determine your heart disease risk – and you might like to consider these, too. Your cholesterol levels, family history, and other risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, and smoking can all impact your heart disease risk.
Eat a healthy diet: It probably won’t come as much of a surprise that eating well can reduce your risk of heart disease. “A heart-healthy diet consists of whole and unprocessed foods such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables,” says Dr. Rohit Vuppuluri, a double-board certified interventional cardiologist. Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity is a strong risk factor for heart disease as it increases other heart health risk factors. “High blood pressure and high bad cholesterol (LDL) go hand-in-hand and are both commonly seen in obese patients,” explains Vuppuluri. “Type 2 diabetes is also seen in obese patients due to increased insulin resistance.”
Exercise regularly: Physical activity is vital for maintaining and improving cardiovascular health. In fact, in a 2023 study, regular physical exercise was significantly linked with reduced risks of all-cause mortality and recurrent vascular events in patients with heart disease.
