+1
Just for the illustration
That's quite a list. A lot of heart attacks and heart failure deaths, to be sure. Here are some interesting statistics:
America's Heart Disease Burden
•About 600,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year–that’s
1 in every 4 deaths.
•Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women.
More than half of the deaths due to heart disease in 2009 were in men.•Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease, killing nearly 380,000 people annually.
•Every year about 720,000 Americans have a heart attack. Of these, 515,000 are a first heart attack and 205,000 happen in people who have already had a heart attack.
•Coronary heart disease alone costs the United States $108.9 billion. This total includes the cost of health care services, medications, and lost productivity.
Protect Your Heart
Lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol will reduce your risk of dying of heart disease. Here are some tips to protect your heart:
•Follow your doctor’s instructions and stay on your medications.
•
Eat a healthy diet that is low in salt; low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol; and rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. Marty Champions (Falcon) may be onto something.
•Take a brisk 10-minute walk, 3 times a day, 5 days a week.
•Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit as soon as possible.