Here are some more Canadian statistics to consider:
• One in five adults aged 50 to 64 has two or more major risk factors – high blood pressure, diabetes or obesity – much of it due to overeating, poor eating habits, smoking and physical inactivity.
• Men typically develop heart disease 10 to 15 years prior to women. One fourth of all heart disease deaths in men occur between the ages of 35 and 65.
• In women, the condition is responsible for about 29 per cent of deaths.
Luckily, there are significant steps that you can take to care for your heart and dramatically reduce your risk factors for the development of heart disease. Follow these five expert tips and you'll be well on your way to a happy and healthy heart.
Don't be an apple!
Are you an apple or are you a pear? Apple shaped bodies tend to store more fat around the abdominal region, whereas pear shapes tend to store more fat around the hips. Unfortunately, abdominal fat versus fat that accumulates around the hip region is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and heart attack. For men, their waist circumference measurement should be less than 40 inches, and for women less than 35 inches. Are you at risk? Find a tape measure that is flexible, stand naturally and breathe out slowly. Place the measuring tape 1 centimetre below your belly button for an accurate measure.
Page 1 of 2 - More great heart-health tips on page 2.
