Take Care New York

3. Keep Your Heart Healthy

Keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight at healthy levels to prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other diseases.

High blood pressure and high cholesterol cause heart disease and stroke. People can often improve their blood pressure and cholesterol levels through a combination of more physical activity, eating a healthier diet, and not smoking. When these lifestyle changes don't result in enough improvement, safe and effective medications are available.

Being overweight or obese also causes serious problems, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, and many cancers (of the colon, breast, uterus, cervix, prostate, ovaries, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, gallbladder, kidney, and liver). But losing even a few pounds and being a little more physically active can significantly reduce these problems. People can lower their risk of diabetes by more than half with modest weight loss and regular exercise.

What to Do

"Know Your Numbers" — get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly

• • High blood pressure and high cholesterol have no symptoms. You won't know you have a problem unless you get screened regularly.
• • Normal blood pressure is below 120/80.
• • Desirable cholesterol levels are below 200 total and above 60 HDL ("good") cholesterol.
• • Talk to your doctor about the levels that are right for you.

Increase Physical Activity

• • Physical activity improves your health even if you don't lose weight!
• • At least 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (such as a brisk walk) at least 4 days every week reduces blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight.
• • You don't have to go to the gym or buy equipment.
• • Choose activities you like to increase the chance you'll stick with them.
• • Fit more exercise into your day. Take several flights of stairs instead of the elevator whenever you can. Get off the subway one stop early. Walk to a bus stop a few blocks away. Walk briskly instead of strolling.