Protect Yourself from Heart Disease

Diet
Eat a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and grains. Keep salt intake to a minimum.
Exercise
- Aerobic: about 30 minutes daily.
- Weight-bearing Exercises: resistance exercises two to three times weekly.
Quit Smoking
Cigarette smoking can lead to clogged arteries. It is also a major cause of heart attack. The risk of death from heart disease is reduced by half after just one year of smoking cessation and continues to decline.

Watch Your Cholesterol
Know your number: The recommended total cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dL and HDL 35 mg/dL or higher. Have your cholesterol checked every five years.
Check Your Blood Pressure
A normal reading for adults is about 140/90.
Have your blood pressure checked at least once every two years or more often if your doctor recommends it.

Always get your doctor’s advice before starting any exercise or diet program.

For information or resources, call the Lifespan Health Connection at 401-444-4800.