Last Update: 07/29/07

Healthy Living in Oakridge

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Take 7 steps to a healthy heart

from the American Heart Association

These are the 7 steps to a healthy heart:

1. Choose to be smoke-free.
2. Manage your blood pressure.
3. Maintain a healthy cholesterol level.
4. Keep you weight at a healthy level.
5. Engage in physical activity every day.
6. Have regular medical exams and treatment.
7. Make healthy lifestyle decisions.

What Puts You at Risk for Heart Disease?

There are numerous behaviors and conditions that put you at risk for heart disease. This list notes those factors that are currently considered most dangerous to the health of your heart.

These risk factors are very definitely within your power to manage and control. What are you willing to do to ensure a longer and better quality life and to reduce these risks?

• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• High blood cholesterol
• Sedentary lifestyle (no regular exercise)
• Being overweight
• Diabetes (high fasting glucose levels)

These last three risk factors are not within your direct control, but if you lower all controllable risks, you will substantially reduce your risk from all factors.

• Family history of heart disease (before age 55)
• Increasing age
  • Male over age 45
  • Female over 55
• Personal history of heart attack or coronary artery disease

If you have an increased risk of heart disease, today's the day to get started doing something about it.

Note: Check out the American Heart Association "Go Red for Women" web site.

Join the ONA!