Every 37 seconds, someone in the U.S. dies from heart disease—around **650,000 people each year**—and that number has been rising since 2014. What’s most shocking is that **“this disease, in most cases, is largely preventable.”**
The American Heart Association promotes **Life’s Simple 7**, a set of basic health habits proven to reduce heart disease risk by up to **80%**. These same steps also cut the risk of stroke by half and lower the chances of cancer and dementia. And they’re simple, low-cost, and effective.
The **7 steps** are:
* **Be physically active:** 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous activity weekly.
* **Eat a healthy diet:** Focus on plants and avoid ultra-processed, sugary foods.
* **Don’t smoke.**
* **Maintain a healthy weight:** Especially watch waist size—over 40″ for men, 35″ for women is risky.
* **Control blood pressure:** Under 120/80 mm Hg.
* **Lower cholesterol:** Non-HDL cholesterol under 100 mg/dL.
* **Keep blood sugar healthy:** Fasting glucose under 100 mg/dL.
The message is clear: **“The power is in your hands.”** Even taking a few of these steps can drastically improve your health and save your life.
