Dr. Disha Mookherjee, a cardiologist at Saratoga Hospital in New York, part of the Albany Med Health System, tells patients that “your body is a vehicle for your soul.” Making sure it runs right can improve and extend life.

In that case, consider Life’s Essential 8™ an owner’s manual. The guidance from the American Heart Association refines ways to gauge heart health based on the latest research. The key components are pursuing a healthy diet and weight, staying physically active, not smoking or vaping, getting healthy sleep, controlling blood pressure, and maintaining healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Better cardiovascular health helps lower the risk for heart disease, stroke and other major health problems.

“Just like you take care of your car – you’ve got to get oil changes, and you’ve got to put the right gasoline in it – there are thing you have to do for your body so it can serve you properly,” Dr. Mookherjee said.

Creating better habits to improve heart health can’t be one size fits all. She said there’s no hard 1-2-3 priority to the guidance. “It depends on the specific patient – where they think they can start.”
Dr. Mookherjee discussed some strategies she uses in her practice. 

Staying physically active: Fitness apps often recommend people get 10,000 steps a day, but recent research suggests even a small increase (500 to 1,000 steps) can reduce cardiovascular risks. Dr. Mookherjee concurred. “Do more than what you’re doing. If you only get 1,000 steps a day, aim for 1,500. If you only get 5,000 step a day, aim for 8,000.” 

Achieving a healthy weight: Don’t get too focused on body mass index, which measures body fat based on weight and height. “There is data available now that states that a patient’s functional capacity is more important than their BMI. So its actually  better to be fit and have a mildly elevated BMI versus having a low or normal BMI but not be physically fit or in shape.”

Eating healthier: Once again, there’s no one path to improved diet. But the questions Dr. Mookherjee puts to patients are ‘what are you eating and who’s cooking?’ “Families and people who are doing their own cooking tend to have longer, healthier lives than people who eat out all the time.”

At Saratoga Hospital, Dr. Mookherjee said, “We’re always checking these measurements. These are standard questions that we’re asking people ‒ about their activity, about smoking. Then, I’ll bring them back in three months and say ‘let’s check your numbers’ and really have that accountability.

“I’m so impressed that so many patients take it to heart. They inspire me.”