Watch CBS News

February Is American Heart Month, 8 Things To Remember For Heart Health

By American Heart Association

February is American Heart Month, which for more than half a century has marked the importance of heart health and research into cardiovascular disease. Genetics play a role in cardiovascular health, but so do your lifestyle choices.

Here are eight factors that can affect your heart and what to do about them:

1. Cholesterol

What to know: "Bad" LDL cholesterol can clog up the arteries that feed your heart and brain – and increase heart attack and stroke risk. "Good" HDL cholesterol can help eliminate the bad, but only to an extent. The body also takes in additional cholesterol from certain foods, such as meat, eggs and dairy.

What to do: Get a blood test and know your cholesterol levels. Then work with your health care professional on what changes might be needed. Switching to a low-fat diet can help lower LDL cholesterol. Getting more regular physical activity can elevate levels of good HDL.

2. Resting heart rate

What to know: Lower is better. For most people, a resting heart rate between 60 and 100 beats per minute is considered normal. It's affected negatively by stress, hormones and medication. Getting into better shape can not only lower your resting heart rate, it could help save your life: Studies have shown a higher rate is associated with higher risk for death.

What to do: Check your heart rate at rest, preferably first thing in the morning, before getting out of bed.

3. Cardiorespiratory fitness

What to know: Aerobic exercise can get the heart pumping and build endurance. Growing evidence over the past 30 years has shown that low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and death. High levels are linked to a lower risk of developing dementia, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes and even some types of cancer.

What to do: A health care professional can assess your cardiovascular endurance and overall fitness. It is often measured using the VO2 max, the maximum amount of oxygen a person can take in during intense aerobic exercise.

To increase cardiorespiratory fitness, go for a run or hop on a bike. Take a brisk walk or turn up the music and start dancing. Any type of aerobic exercise that increases breathing and heart rate can build your endurance if done regularly. If you haven't been active for a while, start slowly and gradually build.

4. Blood pressure

What to know: High blood pressure, or hypertension, often is called the "silent killer" because it usually lacks obvious symptoms. Nearly half of all U.S. adults have high blood pressure. When left uncontrolled, it is a major risk factor for heart attack, stroke and heart failure.

What to do: Learn your numbers and what they mean. High blood pressure is defined as a reading of 130 or higher for the top number, or 80 or higher for the bottom number. Make sure to take measurements regularly to detect patterns and recognize when numbers creep up.

5. Blood glucose level

What to know: Blood sugar levels can fluctuate depending on time of day, what you eat and when you ate it. Too high or too low a level can affect your concentration, make you dizzy and harm vital organs. Diabetes develops when there is too much sugar in the blood because the body either fails to make enough insulin or cannot use it efficiently.

What to do: Type 2 diabetes is associated with obesity and physical inactivity. Diet and exercise can lower the odds of developing it or slow its progression. A low-fat diet that cuts back on sweets, added sugars and processed meats can steady blood sugar levels.

6. Waist circumference

What to know: Some experts consider the distance around your natural waist a better way to measure body fat than relying on body mass index alone. Someone with a relatively low BMI score may have a large waist, and people who carry fat around their abdomen as opposed to the hips or elsewhere are at greater risk for heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. A high waist circumference is also associated with increased risk for high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels.

The American Heart Association recommends adults get both their BMI and waist circumference measured each year. BMI alone may not be enough to diagnose obesity.

What to do: Grab an old-fashioned tape measure and wrap it around your waist while standing. Place the tape measure just above your hipbones. Then, exhale and record the measurement. Men should aim for less than 40 inches, while women should shoot for less than 35 inches.

7. Heart rhythm

What to know: Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is a quivering or irregular heartbeat. Left untreated, it doubles the risk for heart-related death and has a fivefold increased risk for stroke.

What to do: If you recognize the common AFib symptoms – including weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat – see your doctor. Treatment depends on the underlying medical issue that may be causing the AFib and could include medications and procedures to help restore a normal rhythm.

8. Family history

What to know: Family history is considered a "risk-enhancing factor," according to current cholesterol management guidelines. That means if a parent, grandparent or sibling has had a stroke, heart attack or other type of heart disease, the information should be shared with your doctor.

Genetic factors such as race also may be in play. High blood pressure, for example, is a major heart disease risk factor, and its prevalence among Black Americans is among the highest in the world.

What to do: If you don't know a relative's full medical story, seek out family who do. Details such as how old someone was when heart disease first developed can be critical. Family history can give your health care professional a better perspective on your overall risk for cardiovascular disease in the future.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.