By ERICK LIVINGSTON, Student Reporter
February 5 was National Wear Red Day, which is meant to spread awareness for heart disease.
National Wear Red Day is celebrated the first Friday in the month of February.
Heart disease affects millions of Americans and is the leading cause of death in America. In 2019, the National Vital Statistics System reported that 659,041 Americans had died from heart disease.
The term “heart disease” refers to multiple heart conditions, but the most common form is coronary artery disease, which affects the blood flow for your heart.
There are three risk factors that 47% of Americans have at least one of. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking are the main three health risk factors.
Others are diabetes, obesity, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and excessive drinking, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
But heart disease can be a preventable disease. By living a healthy lifestyle, you can help keep your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels normal and lower your risk for heart disease and heart attacks.
Choose healthy food and drink options. Try to avoid eating food with saturated and trans fat. Instead, eat something higher in fiber and low fats.
If you drink alcohol, it is recommended that men should not have more than two drinks a day, and women should not have more than one.
Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity has a much higher risk for heart disease.
To find out if you are at a healthy weight, you can calculate your body mass index. If you are not in an acceptable range, physical activity can help.
The American Surgeon General recommends that adults should have moderately intense exercise for two hours and 30 minutes every week.
Children and adolescents need one hour every day.
Do not smoke. Smoking greatly increases the risk of heart disease. If you’re looking to quit, ask your doctor for ways to help.