Tips To Improve Your Heart Health

Posted March 29, 2010 by Acupuncture & Massage College & filed under Holistic Medicine

Seven health factors and lifestyle behaviors have been identified by the American Heart Association as contributing to cardiovascular health.
In a recent survey of American adults, the association found that 39 percent said they believed they had optimal heart health. Over 50 percent said that they had been informed by a health practitioner that they had a risk factor for heart disease and needed to make lifestyle changes to improve their health.
Often, individuals don’t associate unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as physical inactivity and insufficient diet, with cardiovascular health.
Improvements in the areas defined by the seven factors and behaviors can affect ideal cardiovascular health, improving quality of life and life span.
The association categorizes cardiovascular health as poor, intermediate or ideal, depending on where individuals are in each of the seven areas. The seven measures to define heart health are:
• Never smoked or quit more than one year ago.
• Body mass index less than 25.
• Exercise of at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity each week.
• A healthy diet that includes more fruits and vegetables and reduced calorie intake.
• Total cholesterol less than 200.
• Blood pressure below 120/80.
• Fasting blood glucose less than 100.
By following these measures, everyone is a candidate to advance at least one stage forward in heart health, from poor to intermediate or intermediate to ideal.
Acupuncture & Massage College’s Community Clinic offers acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and massage for the treatment of a wide range of health conditions as well as for overall wellness. To schedule an appointment call (305) 595-9500. For information about AMC’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs ask for Joe Calareso, Admissions Director.

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