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The Benefits of Lifestyle Change on Cardiovascular Disease
September 20 , 2004 by Mike MasoodIn light of former President Bill Clinton’s recent bypass surgery, I felt it necessary to explain how a change in one’s lifestyle may prevent the onset of cardiovascular disease.
Did you know that cardiovascular disease principally heart disease and stroke are the number one and three killers of both men and women among all ethnic and racial groups? It is the leading killer of Americans age 35 and older. Nearly one million Americans die each year of cardiovascular disease. This number represents almost 42% of all deaths.
First we must ask ourselves if we know what cardiovascular disease is? Cardio means relating to the heart muscle. Vascular means relating to the circulatory system that transports blood throughout the body. Cardiovascular disease is actually a number of conditions, some of which may be in combination, that affect the structure or function of the heart. Here are some of these conditions: Coronary artery disease, stroke, high blood pressure, heart failure, arrhythmias, heart valve disease, congenital heart disease, pericardial disease and vascular disease.
What are the three main factors that play a role in cardiovascular disease? First, tobacco use. Smokers have two times the risk of heart attack as non-smokers. Nearly one-fifth of the estimated one million deaths come from smokers. Second, a sedentary lifestyle. People who are inactive are at twice the risk for heart disease as those who are active. Third, poor nutrition. An estimated 58 million American adults are considered obese. Those who fall into this category are more likely to develop heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other lifestyle diseases such as diabetes.
As health care cost skyrocket and more burden is passed onto the employee, we must take action to help ourselves. If we concentrate on controlling the three main factors above, we can have a direct impact on how we live our lives a sit not only relates to ourselves, but to our loved one’s as well. If you smoke, stop. By smoking you are not only affecting your health, but the health of others that may be around you. EXERCISE, EXERCISE, EXERCISE! Try taking 10,000 steps a day to start off with. This equates to almost 5 miles. Work your way to moving a little more each day until you become a “regular exerciser”. In regards to nutrition we cannot have the “garbage can theory”. "Because I work out I can eat whatever I want". We are what we eat, so eat four to six smaller meals throughout the day ( this will help control blood glucose levels, which can help with the onset of type 2 diabetes). Add more fruits, vegetables and whole grains to your diet while reducing processed foods and foods high in saturated fat.
To achieve the steps above we must understand that we must change our lifestyle. How we think and what we do has an impact on what we become. Every little step we take toward reaching a goal is better then taking no step at all…so start walking!!
Mike Masood can be reached via email at fitness@evliving.com or by phone at 480.699.6002.
