- More than 50% of American adults don’t know that heart disease is the leading cause of death, according to a new study.
- Heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the United States for 100 years.
- There are many ways to reduce your risk of heart disease, including regular exercise, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight..
A new study finds that more than half of American adults don’t know that heart disease is the leading cause of death.
In a 2023 Harris Poll conducted on behalf of the American Heart Association, 51% of respondents did not identify heart disease as the leading cause of death in the United States.
This is despite the fact that cancer has been the leading cause of death for the past 100 years, claiming more lives than all types of cancer and chronic lower respiratory diseases combined.
Only 49% cited heart disease as the main cause of death. Meanwhile, 16% said they did not know the main cause of death, and 18% listed cancer as the top cause of death.
Heart disease is used to describe a variety of conditions that affect the heart, including arrhythmia, atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy, and congenital heart defects.
But health experts say you can reduce your risk with six simple steps:
know your risks
Knowing your risks is an important first step to mitigating them. Dr. Norman Lepore, a cardiologist and director of the National Heart Institute, says doctors will consider several factors to determine your risk for heart disease, and you may want to consider these factors, too. Masu.
Other risk factors such as cholesterol levels, family history, high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking can all affect your risk of heart disease.
“A simple, inexpensive test called a coronary artery calcium scan can further improve our ability to assess an individual’s risk of coronary heart disease,” Lepor added.
eat a healthy diet
It should come as no surprise that eating well can reduce your risk of heart disease.
“A heart-healthy diet consists of unprocessed foods such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables,” says Dr. Rohit Bhupururi, a double board-certified interventional cardiologist.
“It’s also very important to limit saturated and trans fats found in processed and fried foods.”
The good news is that you don’t have to follow a “fancy” diet.
Lepore says a diet like the Mediterranean diet, which includes healthy protein sources and relatively low carbohydrates, is best.
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“You can also reduce your intake of saturated fat and increase your intake of foods containing ‘good’ fats such as vegetable oils, nuts, seeds and fish,” he added.
maintain a healthy weight
Obesity is a strong risk factor for heart disease because it increases other heart health risk factors.
“High blood pressure and high bad cholesterol (LDL) are closely related, and both are more common in obese patients,” Vupruli explains. “Type 2 diabetes is also seen in obese patients due to increased insulin resistance.”
Losing weight can be difficult, but setting realistic goals is a good approach, Vupruli says.
“Simply setting a goal of 1 to 2 pounds per week can help you reach your end goal while continuing with your program,” he points out. “Overall, eating a healthy diet and maintaining a regular exercise routine will also help you reach your goals.
regular exercise
Physical activity is essential for maintaining and improving cardiovascular health.
In fact, in a 2023 study, regular physical exercise was significantly associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality and recurrent vascular events in heart disease patients.
This is because regular, moderate-intensity exercise lowers blood pressure and “bad” LDL cholesterol levels, Vupruli says. It also regulates blood sugar levels and helps with healthy weight management.
Not interested in grueling gym sessions or grueling workouts? Lepor says there’s no need to follow an exercise plan that feels overly difficult.
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Lepor says walking and swimming are also great options. Most forms of exercise have heart health benefits. So the most important thing is to find an exercise plan that you enjoy and can stick to.
quit smoking
Smoking cigarettes not only damages your lungs, but it also has a negative impact on your heart health.
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“Smoking is very bad for your heart because it damages blood vessels and increases the risk of plaque buildup,” Vupuluri explains. “These two factors together greatly increase the risk of a future heart attack.”
Of course, cigarettes are addictive and quitting is not easy. Rather than quitting cold turkey, Vupruli suggests tapering down gradually.
Additionally, nicotine gum and lozenges can help reduce the urge to smoke, he says.
reduce stress
Stress is a natural byproduct of the busy world we live in, but too much stress can negatively impact your cardiovascular health and, in turn, increase your risk of heart disease.
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“A stressful lifestyle, whether due to work, personal, or socio-economic factors, can increase the risk of blood pressure, inflammation, and arrhythmias,” explains Vupruli.
Although it’s difficult to completely eliminate stress, you can find ways to better manage it. Reducing stress can be as simple as writing down your worries and fears or sharing them with a trusted friend.
You might also consider taking more breaks throughout the day or setting aside time for rest and recovery.
Finding a hobby that relieves stress is especially beneficial.
Vupruli recommends making physical activity a part of your daily routine. Not only does it help fight risk factors like being overweight and high cholesterol levels, it can also improve your mental health.
Other stress management techniques he recommends include meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, and maintaining a supportive social network.
