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Heart Disease: Three Important Questions Answered

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Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. In fact, one in every five deaths is attributed to heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).1

Most people have heard these statistics, but how many of us know exactly what heart disease is, what the risks are, and how we can help prevent it?

Despite its name, heart disease is not one specific condition, but a broad term for any condition of the heart. The most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease, which is a building up of plaque in the arteries that restricts blood flow and can lead to a heart attack.

Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. suffers a heart attack.2 Here are answers to some vital questions we should all ask to help us avoid becoming part of this statistic.

What are the signs of a heart attack?

When it comes to a heart attack, time is of the essence. The sooner emergency treatment begins, the better a person's chances for survival.2 Reading the signs is key.

Signs of a heart attack

How can I know if I am at risk for heart disease?

The CDC lays out three distinct factors that increase a person's risk for heart disease. About half of Americans have at least one of these three key risk factors.2

Top three heart disease risk factors

How can I reduce my risk for heart disease?

There are three impactful yet simple ways to reduce these heart disease risks:

1. Eat a healthy diet

  • Avoid food with trans fats (unsaturated fat).
  • Limit salt intake (the CDC recommends less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day).
  • Eat foods naturally high in fiber.

2. Get some exercise

Exercising 30 minutes a day for five days a week will help reduce your risk of heart disease, according to the American Heart Association.3

3. Don't smoke

More than 3 out of 5 adults who have ever smoked cigarettes have quit.4 You can, too.

The CDC offers free coaching, a free plan and educational materials, and referrals to local resources. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit the CDC Quit Smoking page.

Critical Illness Insurance from Allstate Benefits

Allstate Benefits offers Group Critical Illness Insurance with benefits that may help cover the costs of heart-related events like heart attack or coronary artery bypass surgery. Coverage doesn't have to stop there, though! Optional wellness riders are also available to help with the cost of preventive care like blood tests for triglycerides, lipid panel tests (total cholesterol count), echocardiograms, chest X-rays and more.

For employers that elect to offer our Lifestyle Enhancement Rider, enrolled employees can also receive a benefit for completing a qualified tobacco cessation program or another eligible health management program.

Contact an agent today to learn more about employee benefits package options for Critical Illness Insurance or click here for a quote.

1 Heart Disease Facts | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

2 Heart Attack Symptoms, Risk, and Recovery | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

3 https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness

4 Smoking Cessation by the Numbers: A Report of the Surgeon General | U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.gov

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