The Price of Good Health – It’s Cheaper Then You Thought!
According to a report published in early 2017 in the Journal of the American Heart Association, a review of over 6000 Medicare patients revealed those with more “heart-healthy” factors had $5000 LESS in medical costs compared to their peers. They estimated that following 7 steps could reduce Medicare costs over $40 billion a year.
So what are those magic 7 steps that have such a tremendous impact on health? The table below developed by the American Heart Association, is a list of Life’s Simple 7 habits designed to improve cardiovascular health and how you can use them for lowering your risks in the long-term.
Life’s Simple 7
| Changes you can make | Target for ideal heart health |
| 1. Stop smoking | Having never smoked, or having quit smoking for more than a year |
| 2. Reduce blood sugar | Fasting blood glucose below 100 mg/dL |
| 3. Control cholesterol | Total cholesterol of less than 200 mg/dL |
| 4. Manage blood pressure | Blood pressure below 120/80 mm Hg |
| 5. Lose weight | Body mass index (BMI) in the normal range (18.5–25) |
| 6. Get active | At least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of intense exercise per week |
| 7. Eat better | A diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, poultry, fish, and nuts and limits red meats and sugar |
You don’t have to wait until you are 65 to take these steps. Making small changes to move toward the targets for ideal heart health now will add up over time, plus you will set a positive example for family and friends. Keep in mind, developing healthy habits in children helps them maintain health throughout life.
Not sure where you stand on some of these? Did you know your doctor of chiropractic can order tests to measure cholesterol and blood sugar levels? Your chiropractic practice is also a great source of information on healthy nutrition. Exercise will have a positive impact on most of the Life’s Simple 7. Your chiropractor can suggest activities that will be safe for your fitness level and beneficial for your body and overall health.
Don’t wait until your golden years to get healthy! See your chiropractor today and get on the path to wellness!
Reference:
The value of prevention: Treating heart disease is expensive. Adopting heart-healthy habits can save money as well as lives. Harvard Health Publications. May, 2017. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/the-value-of-prevention