It’s true that heart attacks aren’t all that common in people your age, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be thinking about your heart.  Heart disease is the number 1 killer in the U.S. but it doesn’t have to be.  Cardiovascular health (the health of your lungs, heart and blood) is declining among Americans, as people sit behind computers for 8 hours, chow down on junk food and spend their free time in front of the tube.

A heart attack occurs when your heart is deprived of the very blood that it pumps to all your other cells.  When your heart is in trouble…your whole body is too.  The best time to start taking care of your heart is right NOW, when you’re still young. 

Keeping your heart and lungs healthy is as easy as making sure to exercise and eat right.  Simple activities like walking everyday or going for a swim can make all the difference.  A diet of foods that are low in salt, cholesterol and saturated fats will also help your heart stay strong.  Keep your blood pressure down and don’t even think about picking up a cigarette.

Another great step that you can take is to learn CPR.  If someone ever has a heart attack while you are there, knowing CPR could enable you to save his/her life.  Just because you aren’t quite at risk yet, doesn’t mean you can’t be there to help others.  If you stay heart healthy now and gain the knowledge to protect yourself, you can decrease the chance of someone having to save your life.