Smart Health

(ARA) - This February, you’ll likely see hearts everywhere, in the form of candy, cards and decorations. Let them be a reminder to take care of your heart health with your loved one. Along with high blood pressure and obesity, unhealthy cholesterol levels are a major risk factor for heart disease. Making simple lifestyle changes with your loved one can help you both achieve healthy cholesterol levels that can cut your risk for heart disease.

To gauge your heart disease risk, learn your cholesterol levels by having them checked by your doctor, including LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, HDL, or “good” cholesterol and triglycerides -- all independent risk factors for heart disease. The risk of developing heart disease doubles when triglyceride levels are above 200. When triglycerides are above 200 and HDL cholesterol is below 40, a person is at four times the risk.

Healthy Numbers:
LDL less than 100
HDL greater than 40 for men and greater than 50 for women
Triglycerides less than 150

“Many couples have no idea that an unhealthy lifestyle can affect their cholesterol levels and subsequently their heart health,” says Dr. Jerome Cohen, chairman of the National Lipid Association Consumer Affairs Committee. “It’s important for people to talk to their physicians about cholesterol and commit to a healthy lifestyle together.”

Here are some “heart healthy” ways to spend time with your loved one this Valentine’s Day:

* Cook a delicious heart healthy meal to show you care. Visit www.LearnYourLipids.com to find tasty recipes that will impress your sweetie.

* Grab your “sole mate” and head out for a walk. A study by the American Heart Association showed that people are 76 percent more likely to stick with a walking program if they have someone to walk with. Daily exercise helps lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol.

* Instead of chocolate, give a healthy and delicious gift like a fruit basket.

For more information on cholesterol, heart disease risk factors and heart healthy living, talk to your doctor and visit the National Lipid Association’s www.LearnYourLipids.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent
 

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