Heart disease is the leading cause of death for adults in New York City.
You may be at a higher risk for heart disease if you:
Some of these risk factors are easier to change than others. You should know your risk of heart disease and the steps you can take to keep yourself healthy.
Know and Control Your Blood Pressure
Find out how you can check your blood pressure, understand your numbers and keep it healthy.
Stay Healthy with Diabetes
Adults with diabetes are two-to-three times more likely than people without diabetes to die of heart disease or have a stroke. Uncontrolled diabetes can cause blindness, end-stage renal disease and lower extremity amputations in adults.
Learn more about diabetes and the resources that can help you stay healthy.
Quit Smoking
One year after you quit smoking, your heart disease risk reduces by half. Quitting also reduces exposure to secondhand smoke for people around you. Learn what you resources are available to help you quit by visiting NYC Quits.
Eat and Drink Healthy
Eating a healthy diet is important for everyone. It can help you manage your weight, maintain good health and reduce your risk of chronic disease. Currently, two-thirds of New Yorkers eat too much salt, a major risk factor for high blood pressure. This can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Learn some strategies for how you can choose less sodium.
Sugary drinks, including soda, juice and sports drinks, can also increase your risk for heart disease. One way you can protect your heart and your wallet at the same time is to drink plenty of NYC tap water.
Be Active
Regular physical activity is important for heart health. The benefits of physical activity go beyond helping you keep a healthy weight. They include blood pressure control and stress relief.
Check out these resources for tips on staying in shape:
Manage Stress
Everyone experiences stress from time to time. Managing stress can be a challenge, but here are some tips that can help you take care of your body and mind: