Beginner's Fitness Programs

Journal of the American Heart Association recently reported that only 10% or less of Americans are in the low heart disease risk category. This is very discouraging as many people know what to do, but are not doing it, and it is no wonder why health care costs in the US are so high. Nine out of ten people may need treatment related to heart disease, which can be very costly.

So who is in the low-risk category? Here are the criteria:

• Never smoked, or former smoker
• Total cholesterol bellow 200 milligrams per deciliter without using medication.
• Blood pressure below 120/80 millimeters of mercury without using medication.
• Not overweight/obese: BMI < 25 kg/m2
• Never diagnosed with diabetes.

As you can see, even if you don’t smoke (and if you do, you should quit!), you can reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing your body weight to a normal BMI level, since cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and the risk of diabetes can all be lowered by losing weight. It is not too late, even if you have one or more of these risk factors. Go to the weight loss section, and start losing weight now!

Source: American Heart Association (2009, September 18). Less Than 10 Percent Of Americans Have Low Risk For Heart Disease.

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