228. Very few American adults have excellent heart health
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Less than one in five American adults is in excellent heart health, according to a new study published in Circulation, the journal of the American Heart Association. Researchers used the new Life’s Essential 8 checklist, which assesses diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep duration, body mass index, blood lipids, blood glucose, and blood pressure. They found that 80 percent of adults and children have either moderate or low cardiovascular health. Women scored slightly higher than men, with both men and women having low scores in diet, physical activity, and body mass index.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
