HEALTHY EATING WITH GRAPES

Only 6.8% of Americans have optimal heart health

Exercise, diet and sleep causing problems for many

By Thelma Grimes Colorado Community Media

Achieving optimal heart health in the U.S. is not looking promising as Americans continue to lose ground. According to a recent study published by the American College of Cardiology, or ACC, only 6.8% of American adults have achieved optimal heart health.

It breaks down fi ve key areas that affect heart health:

• Weight

• Blood sugar • Blood pressure • Cholesterol • Cardiovascular disease

The study, done in conjunction with the American Heart Association, analyzed data from a National Health and

SEE HEART HEALTH, P5

TIPS TO A HEART-HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Each year, the American Heart Association, or AHA, releases a checklist known as Life’s Essential 8. The list provides key measures for improving and maintaining cardiovascular health, which helps lower risk of heart diseases, stroke and other major health problems.

In unveiling the 2022 list, the AHA had some new items and guidance for others, including new suggestions for diet and adding sleep.

The Life’s Essential 8 list if comprised of two major areas – Health behaviors and health factors.

The Essential 8 list includes:

1. EAT BETTER – According to the AHA, Americans should aim for an overall healthy eati ng patt ern that includes whole foods, lots of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, nuts, seeds and cooking non-tropical oils such as olive and canola.

2. BE MORE ACTIVE – Adults should get 2.5 hours of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous physical acti vity per week. Kids should have 60 minutes every day, including play and structured acti viti es.

3. QUIT TOBACCO –

Use of inhaled nicoti ne delivery products, which includes traditi onal cigarett es, e-cigarett es and vaping, is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., according to AHA. This includes about a third of all death from heart disease. It is esti mated that a third of all children between ages 3 and 11 in the U.S. are exposed to secondhand smoke or vaping. 4. GET HEALTHY SLEEP – Sleep is a new additi on to the Essenti al 8 list in 2022. It is esti mated that adults need 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Children require more through nightti me rest and naps. 5. MANAGE WEIGHT – Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight has many benefi ts. Body mass index, a numerical value of weight in relati on to height, is a useful gauge, according to the AHA. An opti mal BMI is 25. 6. CONTROL CHOLESTEROL – High levels of non-HDL, or bad cholesterol, can lead to heart disease. 7. MANAGE BLOOD SUGAR – Most of the food American eat turns into glucose, which is the sugar that the body uses as energy. 8. MANAGE BLOOD PRESSURE – Keeping blood pressure within acceptable ranges can keep a person healthier longer. Levels less than 120/80 are opti mal. High blood pressure is defi ned as 130-139 for the top number and 80-89 for the bott om number.