Why Lifes Essential 8 is the roadmap to living longer and being healthier into old age

Cardiovascular disease doesn’t just break hearts — it stops them. The nation’s top killer claimed one in five American deaths in 2022, but experts say a few smart moves could keep your name off that list.“Adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s seeking a roadmap for cardiovascular health are encouraged to look at the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8,” Dr.Matthew Tomey, a cardiologist at Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital, told The Post. But no matter your age, the path to a stronger heart is still wide open.“Today is the day that you can get on track,” Tomey said.

“Even if you have a genetic predisposition to cardiovascular disease that runs in your family, your choices still matter!”These are the eight essential steps to keep your ticker in top shape so that you can live a longer and healthier life.“The more plants the better,” Dr.

Sanjai Sinha, an internist at The Health Center at Hudson Yards, told The Post.“The Mediterranean diet is the most effective diet with the best data.”That diet, shaped by the eating habits of 21 countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, focuses on nutrient-packed whole grains, fresh produce, legumes, nuts, lean proteins like chicken and fish, and plenty of antioxidant-rich olive oil.The science backs it up: A 2023 analysis out of the University of Sydney found that women who followed the Mediterranean diet cut their risk of heart disease and early death by nearly 25%.Other research suggests it lowers key risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure.“The data behind exercise in reducing inflammation, metabolic and cardiovascular risk, cancer, and dementia are all strong,” Sinha said.In fact, research suggests that a sedentary lifestyle increases your risk for heart disease and stroke to levels on par with cigarette smoking.

Despite this, government data shows that only 28% of Americans are meeting the CDC’s physical activity guidlines.The agency recommen...