By Emily Miller
Heart disease is responsible for one of every four deaths in the United States, making it the leading cause of death in the U.S. Each year, the American Heart Association observes February as American Heart month and provides key steps you and your loved ones can take to protect against heart disease.
According to the American Heart Association, maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly and not smoking can dramatically reduce your risk of premature death or disability due to heart disease.
Awareness of risk factors is also critical to preventing heart disease, which include the following factors:
• High blood pressure
• High blood cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Being overweight
• Being physically inactive
• Family history of heart disease
• Over the age of 55
Far too many people who are at high risk for heart disease don’t know it or don’t consider it a threat, which is why it is important to regularly check your blood pressure and cholesterol by your regular physician.
In fact, the Affordable Care Act is making it easier than ever to take care of your heart. Under the new rules and regulations, most health plans now cover a set of preventive services – such as cholesterol and blood pressure checks – at no out-of-pocket costs to the consumer.
The security that comes with quality, affordable health insurance is vital to the fight against heart disease. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, millions of Americans are gaining access to health coverage, many for the first time. Under the health care law, patients can no longer be discriminated against because of a pre-existing condition, such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure or diabetes.
For more information about the Affordable Care Act, visit healthcare.gov.
Taking precautionary steps to improve the health of your heart could also reduce the amount of premiums you pay for health and life insurance.
This American Heart Month, please consider what steps you and your family can take to promote a healthy heart lifestyle.
There’s no better Valentine than a healthy heart!
