Americans are still ignoring basic heart health

According to new research developed by the American Heart Association, Americans are still ignoring the basic rules set forth by experts for preventing heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems. While doctors have improved their ability to treat cardiovascular disease, Americans still weigh too much and exercise too little.

Focusing on inactivity is essential for turning health statistics around, said Dr. Donald M. Lloyd-Jones, the chair of the American Heart Association’s statistics committee. In a survey performed last year, only 41 percent of adults reported activity strenuous enough to prompt sweating and an increase in breathing or heart rate.

“The things people need to focus on are our weight and our waist,” said Lloyd-Jones. “Those are driving a lot of other risk factors, such as cholesterol and diabetes.” In addition to increasing sweat-inducing activity, adults need to pay attention to their diet. “There is just too much availability of very calorie-dense food. We’re not doing anything to burn off those extra pounds.”

It’s not all negative news, though. Lloyd-Jones reports that Americans are taking better control of their high blood pressure, which is a significant cardiovascular risk factor. “In the last few years, we have taken a bump up, and that gives us reason to hope, especially in prevention of heart failure,” he said.

The American Heart Association has set a goal for 2020: they hope for an improvement of 20 percent in the cardiovascular health of all Americans and a 20 percent reduction in deaths from stroke and cardiovascular diseases.