Healthy choices for a healthy heart Published Feb. 4, 2009 By Marilyn Leggett, RN Civilian Health Promotion Service EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- February is American Heart Month. Currently, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women. Most people, however, can make choices toward good health that may decrease risk. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, it is important to know the basics about heart disease. The term "heart disease" usually refers to coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common type of heart disease. CAD is when the arteries that bring blood to the heart muscle become narrow or blocked. This happens when plaque builds up on the inner wall of the artery. The more plaque there is the less blood can flow through to the heart. If the artery is blocked, the heart cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs leading to chest pain or, sometimes, a heart attack meaning that part of the heart muscle deprived of oxygen "dies." Some types of heart disease are congenital, meaning a person is born with some problem; other forms develop over a lifetime. Over time heart disease can weaken the heart muscle and cause heart failure. Heart failure doesn't mean the heart has stopped but that the heart can't pump blood the way it should to the rest of our body. Plaque may be caused by smoking, high amounts of fat and cholesterol in the blood, high blood pressure, and high levels of sugar in the blood, typically due to diabetes. Over time, the plaque may narrow or completely block the arteries. The risk for heart disease increases for woman over age 55 or a male 45 or older; having a history of heart disease in your family also increases risk. Other factors include overweight or obesity, heavy alcohol use and lack of exercise. While this is all serious business, the important thing is that everyone can make choices to keep their heart as healthy as possible. According to the American Heart Association there are some important steps that can be helpful: Stop smoking; no amount of smoking or tobacco use is safe and when you quit, your risk from heart disease drops significantly. Be physically active: regular and moderately vigorous physical activity reduces your risk, helps maintain a healthy weight, conditions your heart and lungs and can even improve your mood. Eat healthy: A diet of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, low-fat protein and fish can drastically improve your heart health. Maintain a healthy weight by eating right and exercising. Get regular health screenings: see your doctor regularly, get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked; know your numbers and what they mean. Heart disease is often avoidable and, as you can see, prevention doesn't have to be complicated. Don't smoke, control your blood pressure and cholesterol, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, eat a low-fat diet, and get regular medical checkups. It's all about making choices that are heart healthy; your heart will love you for it.