“5 Things about heart health and cardiovascular disease - Waynesboro Record-Herald”

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5 Things about heart health and cardiovascular disease - Waynesboro Record-Herald Posted: Waynesboro, Pa. — February is National Heart Month. Did you know that cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the No. 1 cause of death in America? Here is some information about your heart and how to keep it healthy. What is CVD? 1. Cardiovascular disease is an abnormal function of the heart or blood vessels, which can lead to an increased risk for heart attack, heart failure, stroke and cardiac rhythm problems. CVD contributes to 2,200 deaths every day in the U.S. Someone will experience a coronary event every 34 seconds and every 40 seconds someone will experience a stroke, said Dr. Arshad M. Safi, an interventional cardiologist with Summit Health. Once someone has had a heart attack or stroke there is an increased risk for a second occurrence. Men are only affected heart disease. Wrong. 2. The idea that heart disease only affects men is false. Women are even more affected by CVD than men. Approximately 455,000 women die of heart disease annual vs. 410,000 men, according to Safi. Most women fear breast cancer more than heart disease, but in reality, one out of every three women will die of heart disease, while one out of every 25 women will die of breast cancer, Safi said. Wine and chocolate are good? Yum! 3. Yes, red wine is good for the heart if consumed in moderation. Red wine helps to increase levels of HDL — high-density lipoprotein or "good cholesterol." It inhibits stickiness in the blood which is a contributor to clots. Drinking between two and seven glasses of red wine a week can help to reduce the risk of stroke. Dark chocolate is the one type of chocolate that is good for the heart. Cocoa phenols, a key element in dark chocolate, help lower blood pressure. Eat well and exercise! 4. Eating a healthful diet and exercising are good ways to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Whole grains, lean meats, chicken, fish, nuts, beans and generous portions of fruits and veggies are good. Trans fats , are commonly referred to as partially hydrogenated oils, are bad. Trans fats will raise LDL — low-density lipoprotein or "bad cholesterol" — while reducing "good cholesterol" levels leading to an increased risk for heart disease and stroke. The best type of exercise for the heart is cardio, such as walking, running, aerobics or swimming. Before beginning an exercise program, consult your physician. What levels are considered healthy? 5. Recommendations provided by Dr. Patricia A. Carey of Summit Diabetes and Nutrition Services: Cholesterol levels Total cholesterol: Less than 200   HDL (good): More than 40 for men and 50 for women LDL (bad): Less than 100 or less than 70 for those with CVD Blood pressure Lower than 130/80 Other risk factors for heart disease, beside high cholesterol and blood pressure include cigarette smoking, being overweight, physical inactivity and diabetes. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php Five Filters featured article: Collateral Damage - WikiLeaks In The Crosshairs. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

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