The American Heart Association Simple 7 Strategies

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The American Heart Association is urging people to follow Life’s Simple 7 strategies to boost cardiovascular health. A new study published in the July issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology shows that those who follow these recommendations cut their heart failure risk by more than half. Meeting only some of the criteria also shows benefit. 

It is a simple approach to a healthy lifestyle. Life’s Simple 7 is a score that ranges from 0-14 and is calculated by assigning either 0, 1, or 2 points for smoking, physical activity, body mass index, diet, blood pressure, total cholesterol, and blood glucose. An overall score of 11-14 points was present in 23% of the over 37,000 participants in this study, an intermediate score was seen in 35%, and a low score was present in 41%.

After a follow-up period of 15 years, they found that 2% of the individuals who entered the trial without heart failure developed heart failure. However, individuals with a high or intermediate Life’s Simple 7 score had a 50% reduction in heart failure.

Fundamentals are important, these are not necessarily difficult areas to figure out. They’re also not easy to address. Stopping smoking, beginning a physical activity program, taking your medicines every day for blood pressure control, and maintaining a healthy diet are not easy. 

Follow these Life’s Simple 7 strategies because they really do have significant benefits.

As we age, our risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease increases. Making sure to address these 7 strategies will help decrease your risk.

Women who go through menopause have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Making sure to get healthy before you go through menopause.

References:
Uijl A, et al. Risk for Heart Failure—The Opportunity for Prevention With the American Heart Association’s Life’s Simple 7. JACC Heart Failure. 2019;doi:10.1016/j.jchf.2019.03.009.

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