U.S. Sets Goals to Improve Heart Health

U.S. health officials are aiming to reduce heart disease and stroke deaths 20% within 10 years. That’s one of the goals of Healthy People 2020. This report contains a large collection of health care goals. It comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The American Heart Association (AHA) has joined in endorsing the heart-related goals. The AHA also wants to improve Americans’ heart health by 20%. The report includes specific goals to promote the general ones. These include increasing the number of people who get blood pressure and cholesterol tests and take action to reduce high levels. The AHA also is promoting “Life’s Simple 7.” These are ways to prevent heart disease and stroke. They include exercise, better diet and weight loss. Other goals urge people to avoid smoking and control their cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar.