Cardiologist Dr. Mark Huffman of Northwestern Medicine discusses seven ways to live healthier.
The American Heart Association has something called the “Simple 7” to define cardiovascular health. You can use these seven simple metrics to evaluate your cardiovascular health.
7 Simple Metrics to Live Healthier
- Smoking: Do you smoke or not? Have you quit recently?
- Your diet: Are you eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, lean poultry and fish?
- Physical activity: Are you meeting the recommendations of the federal government’s physical activity guidelines?
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Blood cholesterol
- Blood glucose
- Blood pressure
Do the Numbers Matter?
Your doctor may tell you that your blood pressure and numbers are fine, but after reviewing those numbers on paper, you may be in shock. Dr. Huffman says don’t take numbers in isolation. Your cardiovascular health is a package deal. Ask your health care provider to work with you to understand what your numbers mean and what they mean for your long-term health.
Check out mylifecheck.org for more information about taking care of your heart. Remember, your heart isn't something you love with, but it's something you have to live with too.