Overview: Is that twinge in your chest heartburn or a heart problem? In 2006, more than 600,000 Americans-26% of all deaths in the US that year-died of heart disease, making it our nation's #1 killer. Now, Mayo Clinic provides a comprehensive, step by-step plan to reduce the risks and life-changing effects of heart disease. In The Mayo Clinic Healthy Heart for Life!, Mayo Clinic provides up-to-date, clinically proven information that addresses the key causes of heart disease and provides clear, actionable advice in an easy-to follow format, including: The three key actions you can take in a quick-start plan to help you jump-start your way to heart health -- A heart-health assessment to help you create your own customized plan -- An easy-to-follow program designed for life-long heart health -- Tools to help you determine your risk for heart disease -- Information on how to recognize symptoms of heart disease-and what to do about them -- Background on cholesterol's role and info on how you can minimize the effects of bad cholesterol and enhance your levels of good cholesterol -- How to talk to your doctor about heart concerns and what to expect during a medical evaluation -- How heart disease symptoms can be different in women, and other special concerns for women -- How to raise heart-healthy children -- and more.

"Quick start, 10 minutes a day"--Cover. Includes index.

Your Biggest Risk: -- Warning signs of heart disease -- Common myths about the heart disease -- Risk factors for heart disease -- Getting Going!: -- Get ready to start: -- Do you need to see a doctor? -- Are you ready to start? -- Eat 5, move 10, sleep 8: -- Take a baseline quiz -- Work on your goals -- 10-Steps To Heart Health: -- Making the Mayo Clinic healthy heart plan work for you -- Eat healthy: -- Boost your vegetables and fruits -- Eat breakfast-and eat it right -- Go for the grains -- Focus on fats -- Be lean with protein -- Be active: -- Stand up for heart health -- Start with 10 -- Add intervals -- Boost your strength -- Pick things you enjoy -- Sleep well: -- Aim for consistent quality sleep every night -- Get adequate sleep to help you lose weight -- Establish a consistent bedtime routine -- Be cautious about caffeine and alcohol -- Make sure you don't have a sleep disorder -- Deal with tobacco and weight: -- Tobacco and heart health -- Weight and heart health -- Know your numbers: -- Blood pressure -- Cholesterol -- Triglycerides -- Body mass index -- Blood sugar -- Know you history: -- Personal history -- Women's unique risks -- Family history -- Set your targets: -- Your personal risk -- Plans to reach our targets -- Take your medications: -- Understanding the problem -- Overcoming the challenges -- Side effects and interactions -- Plan for emergencies: -- Recognize the warning signs -- Delay is deadly -- Start CPR if someone's in trouble -- Use defibrillation, if necessary -- Involve your family -- Enjoy life: -- Build a social support network -- Relax and have fun -- Reduce stress -- Learn to be adaptable -- Find a realistic balance -- Using the Mayo Clinic Healthy Heart Plan for a lifetime -- If You Have A Problem: -- How you heart works -- What can go wrong -- Coronary artery disease -- Heart failure -- Arrhythmias -- Heart valve disorders -- Vascular disorders -- Congenital heart disease -- How To Support Your Plan: -- Common diagnostic tests: -- Blood tests -- Electrocardiogram -- Stress tests -- Imaging tests -- Taking your blood pressure -- Overcome you eating obstacles -- Recipes for a healthy heart -- Overcome your activity obstacles -- Find a healthy weight: -- What's your BMI? -- Mayo Clinic Healthy weight pyramid -- Complementary and alternative medicine: -- Common herbal and dietary supplements -- Food as medicine -- Mind-body medicine -- Monitor your mental health: -- Stress and your heart -- Recognizing depression -- Taking care of anxiety -- Index.