The Healty Heart Is Up To You!

America is having a crisis of the heart. Heart disease is on the rise; and, despite our advances in technology and treatment, it remains the number one leading cause of death in this country. It is estimated that nearly 64 million Americans have cardiovascular disease. The real tragedy in heart disease is that in most cases it is preventable. It is the everyday choices that you and I make that determine the health of this vital organ. This year alone, about 1.2 million people in this country will have a heart attack; and, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, about 500,000 of those people will die. Perhaps even more shocking – for half of the people who experience a heart attack – the attack itself will be their first symptom. With just a few simple changes in your daily lifestyle, you can dramatically improve the health of your heart.

The heart itself is a relatively small organ. It normally weighs less than 12 ounces, yet has the power to pump about 2,000 gallons of blood each day. The heart is really two “super pumps” in a single compartment. The right side collects blood from the body and A healthy heart pumps it into the lungs for cleansing and oxygenation. The left side receives the oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumps it back out to the body. Even though the heart is pumping blood to fuel and empower your entire body, it receives no nourishment from the blood that passes through its pumping chambers. The only nourishing blood the heart receives is what is carried to it through its coronary arteries.

Our coronary arteries are incredibly important in making sure that blood is supplied without interruption to every region of our hearts. These are the areas that must be addressed in order to achieve a healthier cardiovascular system. You need to stop smoking, lose excess weight, lower cholesterol, maintain a good blood pressure, and avoid stress. In the Healty Heart Section we are going to share some of the best ways that you can improve the health of your coronary arteries.