Do you know that the number one preventable cause of death in the United States is heart disease? This disease is so widespread that in 2007, a person is killed in the United States alone every 34 seconds. Well, if you are not worried and say to yourself, no, it won’t affect me, read on because if you fit the profile, you might be the next heart patient.

Smokers – If you are a smoker, then you already raised your chance of getting heart disease. The effects of smoking include increased chances of getting CVD (cardiovascular disease), PVD (peripheral vascular disease), and CHD (coronary heart disease).Coronary heart disease is already the most common type of heart disease and is a leading cause of premature death in many European countries, Australia, New Zealand, North and South America. Smokers who also are suffering from Coronary Heart Disease are prime candidates for sudden cardiac death.

Fat waistline – Obesity carries with it increased risk of getting heart attack and heart failure. To counter obesity, some form of exercise combined with a healthy and balanced diet should be followed. One good example of a healthy diet is one that is mostly plant based such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fiber.

Lazy couch potatoes It has been shown that half an hour of physical activity can do wonders for your heart. If you have time from work, try to insert a bit of exercise, you don’t have to be thorough with it, what is important is that you are doing it. Exercises that can be done in the office include walking, climbing the stairs or going to the office gym. Try to be creative in finding time to do a little physical activity.

Fatty food lover – Fatty foods are dangerous because of the high amount of LDL or low density lipoprotein it contains. LDL is also known as bad cholesterol and is mostly acquired from eating a diet rich in saturated fats and trans-fats. If you are a smoker at the same time, you make your situation worse because cigarette toxins destroy high density lipoproteins or good cholesterol.

So, if you fit any of the profile mentioned, there is something positive that you can do. Quitting smoking could be the greatest gift to yourself because it removes many harmful effects it has on your body. I hope that reading this article is already enough motivation for you to live a more healthy life.