Your heart beats 100,000 times every day, totaling 35 million beats a year. It pumps 3,000 gallons of blood daily and is so strong that it could lift over 3,000 pounds. Unfortunately, cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of over 750,000 Americans annually, equating to about one death every 40 seconds. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women.
The Warning signs for heart disease include the following:
- Unhealthy Diet
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Lack of exercise
- Excessive alcohol use
What can prevent heart disease?
- Eat foods that are low in saturated fat, trans fat and sodium.
- Get at least 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week.
- Learn the warning signs of heart attacks, strokes and cardiac arrest:
- Chest discomfort
- Difficulty with speech
- Sudden loss of responsiveness
- Keep and eye on your cholesterol, which should be checked at least every five years.
With the proper medical attention, heart attacks are rarely fatal. However, sudden cardiac arrests that often follow heart attacks are fatal 95 percent of the time.
