Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Heart disease refers to blood vessels narrowed or blocked by plaque that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain, or stroke. Heart disease is reversible.
Forty eight percent of African American women and 44% of African American men have some form of heart disease.
Treatment for heart disease includes changes in lifestyle and/or medication. Healthy lifestyle behaviors include:
Talk to your doctor about the best way to treat heart disease.
Anyone, including children, can develop heart disease. The following increases your risk of heart disease:
Talk to you doctor about preventing or treating these medical conditions.
We would like to thank House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel for providing staff resources and connecting OCHD to community members in the development of this campaign. Also many thanks to Kenny Anderson and his family for championing this work in the Pontiac community.
If you smoke, quit. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for help.
Eat a healthy diet. Include lots of fruits, vegetables, and foods low in sodium.
Get moving. Staying physically active will help you control your weight and strengthen your heart. For adults try walking for 10 minutes, 3 times a day, at least 5 days a week. This will give you a total of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity. For kids & youth strive to be active 60 minutes a day.
A great place to get moving is outside at your local parks and trails. Find a park near you.
Getting physically active with others can keep you motivated, improve your accountability and help you meet new people with similar goals. One way to do this is to join or start a walking club.
Manage your stress – Protect yourself from the harmful effects of stress by practicing these healthy habits:
More positive healthy habits you may want to develop to manage stress.