The Key Lifestyle Choices for a Healthy Heartby Dr. Reginald Cherry
The Key Lifestyle Choices for a Healthy Heart Chances are there is someone you know who has heart disease, or has lost his or her life due to a heart attack. In fact, 50 percent of Americans will die of cardiovascular disease. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Did you know there are lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk of developing cardiovascular disease? That’s right. Although genetics plays a role in heart disease, there are certain risk factors that are controllable. Being overweight, being inactive, not eating properly and smoking are all things we can change. They are the key lifestyle choices for a healthy heart – choices God has allowed us to make through His gift of free will. Years ago, it was believed that atherosclerosis (a buildup of plaque in blood vessels) was an inevitable part of the aging process and that blood pressure was supposed to increase with age forcing the heart to pump blood through an elderly person’s narrowed arteries. Then along came the Framingham Heart Study in 1948. For over 50 years now, the data collected from the residents of Framingham, Massachusetts have lead to many major discoveries that have helped scientists understand the development and progression of heart disease and its risk factors. Study researchers found that a lifestyle typified by a faulty diet, sedentary living, and/or unrestrained weight gain increased the risk of developing cardiovascular problems. Now we know: What you eat and how much you exercise have a significant impact on your risk of developing heart disease. In another ongoing study launched by a team of Harvard Medical School researchers over a quarter of a century ago (the Nurses’ Health Study), the habits of more than 120,000 women were examined. What the researchers discovered was quite remarkable: A lifestyle of good health habits can reduce the risk of heart disease by an astounding 80 percent. So, based on the findings of these studies, what can you do to protect your heart? Don’t smoke. Most of us know cigarette smoking is harmful to our bodies, and yet it is still a leading contributor to heart disease. In fact, 47 million Americans do it anyway. Watch your weight. Maintaining a healthy weight not only keeps you living longer, it allows you to enjoy life more. And you are more likely to be involved in healthy activities, such as gardening or taking a walk. If you are overweight, losing weight can reduce your blood pressure and improve your cholesterol levels – both risk factors for heart disease. Body mass index (BMI), a relationship between your height and weight, is the best way to determine a healthful weight for yourself. A lifestyle of good health habits can reduce the risk of heart disease by an astounding 80 percent. To calculate your BMI, multiply your weight in pounds by 700. Take your height in inches and multiply it by itself. Divide the first number by the second number. For example, a 5 foot 2 inch person weighing 160 pounds would have have a BMI of 29.1 [112,000 (160 x 700) divided by 3,844 (62 x 62)]. A healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight and one 30 or above is considered obese. You may also consult an online calculator, or view a BMI chart, on the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s Web site at www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi Exercise regularly. Just 30 minutes a day of moderate or vigorous exercise, such as brisk walking or the equivalent, will cut your odds of heart trouble – as well as reduce your risk of developing diabetes and various cancers. Eat healthfully. Your diet should be low in saturated fat and trans-fatty acids (also known as “partially hydrogenated vegetable oils” which are found in many “low fat” processed snacks and margarine). Stick with natural snacks, such as nuts and fruits. And remember that too much sugar can be as bad as too much fat. Your diet should also be high in fiber and include whole-grain products, plenty of fresh vegetables and fish. It all sounds simple, doesn’t it? But doing everything right certainly isn’t easy. So to help you make a lifestyle choice that will start you on the road to a healthy heart, I have developed Cardiovascular Support. It’s a specially-selected combination of nutrients and herbs that will give your heart what it needs to help protect you from our nation’s number one killer, coronary artery disease. No doubt, it’s important to do as much as you can to protect your heart and lower your risk of disease. And one easy step you can take along your pathway to a healthy heart, is to try Cardiovascular Support. And combined with Basic Nutrient Support, it’s the most comprehensive supplement program for complete cardiovascular health. Born in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Dr. Cherry studied pre-med at Baylor University in Texas. He received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School in 1973 and did his post-graduate training in Internal Medicine and Radiology at Methodist Hospital in Dallas, Texas. In 1975, after practicing medicine with Dr. Kenneth Cooper at the Aerobics Center/Cooper Clinic in Dallas, Dr. Cherry opened his Houston clinic. Now, through his ministry, he is devoting his efforts to helping Christians stay healthy so they can go forth and tell others about Jesus and lead the lost into “His glorious light!” He is committed to developing every possible means to help people maintain their health so that they can truly fulfill the number of their days according to Exodus 23:26.
February, 2010 WWW.THETRUMPETER.COM
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