This is an exciting time for heart health as a recent landmark study called SELECT has shown that taking the anti-obesity medication semaglutide can lower your risk for having a second cardiac event by 20%, while losing an average of over 9% body weight.
And a new American Heart Association (AHA) Presidential Advisory highlights the underlying role that overweight and obesity play in developing heart disease, heart failure, kidney disease, and diabetes.
Both of these recent news stories shed light on the importance of obesity care in reducing medical risk and improving overall cardiometabolic health.
If you’re someone who struggles with weight and want to also improve your heart health, the American Heart Association has new tools to help you.
It’s called Life’s Essential 8, which was recently updated by a panel of experts who reviewed 2500 scientific papers since 2010.
The Essential 8 correlate well with the health parameters we monitor as we counsel patient to better manage weight.
Here are some highlights:
1-What are the Essential 8 Components?
- Diet
- Physical activity
- Nicotine exposure
- Sleep
- Weight
- Blood lipids
- Blood sugar
- Blood pressure
Many of these health behaviors and factors have updated recommendations based on the latest research.
Sleep duration is the one health behavior that’s been added in 2022.
2-What is the Relationship between Sleep and Health?
New data has shown that too short or too long sleep has been associated with coronary heart disease.
In addition, poor sleep increases your risk of developing obesity, high blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol, depression and dementia.
3-What Resources are Available to Improve Heart Health?
You can access many FREE RESOURCES at the American Heart Association’s website.
Each of the Essential 8 have the following downloadable fact sheets available:
- How to Be More Active
- How to Quit Tobacco
- How to Get Healthy Sleep
- How to Manage Weight
- How to Control Cholesterol
- How to Manage Blood Sugar
- How to Manage Blood Pressure
You can also sign up for a FREE American Heart Association Shop Smart, Eat Smart Recipe Booklet.
By accessing these tools, you can start improving your lifestyle habits and heart health today!
RK
Robert Kushner, MD
