No matter if you’re a teenager or a senior citizen, it’s never too late to make wise health choices. Part of that plan for great health should include your heart. This is especially important for African-Americans.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), heart disease is the No. 1 killer for all Americans, and stroke is also a leading cause of death. As frightening as those statistics are, the risks of getting those diseases are even higher for African-Americans.
The AHA has provided seven factors that could help people achieve excellent cardiovascular health. Following are the AHA’s “Life’s Simple 7.”
1. Don’t smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products.
2. Keep a healthy body weight
3. Get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week.
4. Eat a healthy diet consistent with current recommendations.
5. Keep total cholesterol less than 200 mg/dL
6. Keep blood pressure below 120/80 mm Hg
7. Keep fasting blood glucose less than 100 mg/dL
