For a Longer, Happier Life, Focus on Heart Health

May 3, 2011
Written by: Julie Bosche, Filed in: Corporate Wellness Programs

A healthy heart is at the heart of good health.

That’s why, in your corporate wellness quest, showing your employees how to take better care of this vital muscle should be at the top of your priority list.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among Americans. While it’s not 100% avoidable, there are changes you can make to cut your risk significantly.

Eating a healthy diet is an important component of heart health, as is physical fitness. Just 30 minutes of exercise a day decreases your chances of developing cardiovascular disease.

Does that sound like more time than you can spare? Divide it up into manageable segments. Whether it’s three 10-minute walks or one half-hour sweat session, physical activity offers the same health benefits.

And consider this: According to the American Heart Association (AHA), every hour spent walking can add as much as two hours to your life. So adopting healthy habits like a nutritious diet and regular exercise can improve the way you feel day to day, as well as paying off in the form of a longer, happier life.

According to HealthDay, the AHA’s 2020 Impact Goal seeks to both improve heart health and reduce deaths from heart disease and stroke by 20 percent over the next decade.

Termed “Life’s Simple 7,” the AHA promotes the following health measures to achieve that goal:

1. Get active. For most people this means at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise each week.

2. Control cholesterol. Aim for a total cholesterol level of less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

3. Eat better. Increase consumption of vegetables and fruits, whole grains and fish and cut back on fats and sodium.

4. Manage blood pressure. Keep the reading below 120/80.

5. Lose weight. Keep your body mass index (BMI) below 25. BMI is an indicator of body fatness calculated from a person’s weight and height.

6. Reduce blood sugar. Fasting blood glucose should be less than 100 mg/dL.

7. Don’t smoke.