February is Heart Health Awareness Month, and it's the perfect time to start on the path to better heart health and well-being and understand the risk factors that can contribute to heart problems.
Late last year, the American Health Rankings Report revealed some surprising facts. Heart disease is one of eight chronic conditions that have reached record highs since the report began tracking U.S. health and well-being.
Although deaths related to heart disease are decreasing, it remains the leading cause of death for men and women. According to the CDC, heart disease costs the U.S. health care system $216 billion annually, not including an additional $147 billion in lost wages and productivity.
Risk factors for heart disease include conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity, as well as unhealthy behaviors such as lack of exercise, smoking, and alcohol abuse.
According to the American Health Rankings 2023 Senior Report, 25.4% of adults 65 and older in California identify as physically inactive, more than 23.9% are obese, and just over 7% are smokers.
Additionally, the report shows that significant disparities exist between geographic, racial, and economic groups, with certain people at higher risk of developing heart disease.
The prevalence of heart disease is influenced by “social determinants of health” such as lack of access to transportation, healthy food, and safe housing, as well as overall health and well-being.
Talk to your health plan or health care provider about resources available to improve your health and well-being.
According to the American Heart Association, there are steps you can take right away to live a longer, healthier life and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.
First, eat healthier. Plan your meals around vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and fish. Limit sugary drinks, added sugars, processed meats, sodium, and saturated fats.
Next, be physically active and watch your weight. Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise each week.
Finally, try to live a life without smoking. If you don't think you can quit completely on your own, seek help and talk to your health care provider.
For more helpful health and wellness information, visit https://www.uhc.com/news-articles/medicare-articles/medicare.
Dr. Damanpreet Jamarai is Chief Medical Officer for UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement of California.
