n the last 25 years or so, people in the United States have become pro- gressively more overweight and obese. Today, about 65 percent of Americans are considered overweight and about one-third are obese, and the numbers of obese and overweight people keep rising. To check if you are overweight or obese, see the body […]
Drinking too much alcohol can be harmful to your cardiovascular sys- tem in numerous ways: it can contribute to high blood pressure, raise your level of harmful triglycerides, and add empty calories that contribute to overweight or obesity. Excessive drinking or binge drinking can lead to stroke, diseases of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy), and disturbances […]
Food labels tell you a great deal about the contents of foods, and they are a big help in making reasonable choices to limit the fat, sodium, and cholesterol in the foods you eat. Both the ingredients list and the nutri- tion facts panel are useful. By law, the ingredients list is in descending order […]
Of all the advancements made in our understanding of heart disease and how to prevent it, perhaps the greatest is the clear, consistent link between healthful eating habits, coupled with regular exercise, and the prevention of heart problems. By following some fairly simple guidelines about how to eat healthfully, you can substantially improve your overall […]
If you need to lose weight, you and your doctor or registered nutrition- ist can design a healthy diet plan, which will involve determining a level of calorie intake that is appropriate for you—but one that contains at least 1,200 calories per day. Your exercise plan should ensure that you burn more calories than you […]
To promote cardiovascular benefit for most people, about 30 minutes a day of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity most days of the week is a good start; the latest recommendations, however, suggest that you work your way up to 1 hour of exercise per day if you are overweight. You can accumulate the total in […]
Americans know exercise is good for them. A proliferation of health clubs and ?tness centers, joggers in every park and walkers in every shopping mall, and constantly changing fashion trends in exercise gear are all evidence that we’ve gotten the message. Ironically, at the same time, advances in technology and labor-saving devices (along with other […]
Nicotine replacement products, including patches, gum, nasal sprays, and inhalers, can be a valuable part of your overall strategy to stop smoking. They do not work perfectly, but they are a valuable aid in reducing the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal while you learn to adjust to living without cigarettes. These products are closely regulated by […]
Although high blood pressure is a common disease among all Americans, some groups are at higher risk, for reasons that are not fully understood. People in some racial or ethnic groups are more likely to develop high blood pressure. Some people are at higher risk because of other dis- eases, such as diabetes. Often these […]
In addition to lifestyle changes, many people with high blood pressure must take at least one medication or a combination of drugs to keep their blood pressure at a healthy level. These drugs, called antihyper- tensives, are highly effective and are an extremely important factor in reducing your risk of stroke, heart disease, and other […]
