Everyday Wellness: Men's heart health
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men in the United States.
Try these tips to lower your risk of heart disease:
* Don't smoke. Avoid secondhand smoke.
* Keep your blood pressure below 120/80. Get it checked every two years.
* Watch your cholesterol. An LDL ("bad" cholesterol) score less than 130 is best. Get your blood cholesterol checked every five years -- more often if your doctor says so.
* Exercise at least 30 minutes most days of the week. You can do just 10 minutes at a time, if you want. (Exercise an hour a day if you need to lose weight.)
* Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day.
* Eat less fat. Only about one-third of your daily calories should come from fat.
* Ask your doctor about taking low-dose aspirin daily after age 45.
* Learn how to manage stress.
* Prevent diabetes. If you already have diabetes, ask your doctor how to control it.
* Keep a healthy weight. Weight recommendations for men are:
-- 5 feet 3 inches : 140 pounds or less
-- 5 feet 4 inches: 144 pounds or less
-- 5 feet 5 inches: 149 pounds or less
-- 5 feet 6 inches: 154 pounds or less
-- 5 feet 7 inches: 158 pounds or less
-- 5 feet 8 inches: 163 pounds or less
-- 5 feet 9 inches: 168 pounds or less
-- 5 feet 10 inches: 173 pounds or less
-- 5 feet 11 inches: 178 pounds or less
-- 6 feet: 183 pounds or less
-- 6 feet 1 inches: 188 pounds or less
-- 6 feet 2 inches: 193 pounds or less
-- 6 feet 3 inches: 199 pounds or less
-- 6 feet 4 inches: 204 pounds or less
Source: American Heart Association
