The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Heart disease remains the number one killer in the United States; however, most people don’t understand their risk or how their lifestyle can impact their heart health today and in the future. In February, during heart month, we shine a light on heart and vascular disease so that more Americans will take measures to improve their heart health. Experts at the Heart and Vascular Center at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center share here the five steps people can take to help maintain or improve their heart health:
- Stop smoking (and avoid second-hand smoke)! Tobacco damages the heart and blood vessels, while also causing lung disease and many cancers. Research shows that smoking cessation provides an immediate boost to your health, and the risk of heart disease lessens over time.
- Make nutrition a priority. A heart healthy diet includes the recommended number of servings of fruits and vegetables in a day, along with lean meats, healthy fats and whole grains. Fatty foods, sugar and sodium should be limited.
- Incorporate exercise into your day. Exercise improves blood pressure, lowers cholesterol and prevents diabetes. Thirty to 60 minutes of regular exercise or light activity a day is recommended.
- Lose weight. Obesity leads to chronic heart disease risk factors such as high cholesterol and diabetes. Maintaining a healthy weight with a normal body mass index and waist circumference helps reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Know thesefive numbers, as they all impact your heart health:
- Body mass index (BMI)
- Waist size
- Blood pressure
- Blood sugar
- Cholesterol
Ohio State’s heart and vascular disease experts also provide answers to key questions about heart health, including:
Cardiac arrest vs. heart attack: What’s the difference?
Ragavendra Baliga, MBBS, an Ohio State cardiologist, explains the difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest and why knowing the difference can save a life.
What’s more important: total cholesterol or cholesterol ratio?
To lower your risk of heart disease and stroke, it’s important to keep a healthy balance between “good” and “bad” cholesterol. Ohio State cardiologist Jim Liu, MD, explains the numbers behind cholesterol levels and how to achieve the healthy balance.
What’s a dangerous heart rate?
Is your heart rate too fast or too slow? An Ohio State cardiologist weighs in on if it’s nothing to worry about or if it could be something that needs to be treated.
Can you reverse heart failure?
Jim Liu, MD, an Ohio State cardiologist, discusses what causes heart failure and how it can be reversed.
What you need to know about vascular disease
Do you know the warning signs and symptoms of vascular disease, the relative of cardiovascular disease? Kristine Orion, MD, a vascular surgeon at Ohio State, explains.
