Our body is composed of over 600 skeletal muscles, which may contribute from 40% to 50% of total body weight. Most skeletal muscles are attached to bony structures and are under our conscious control. These muscles perform essential tasks such as movement and breathing, postural control and body alignment, and heat production.
Heart-Healthy Habits
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. The term cardiovascular disease (CVD) encompasses several ailments affecting the heart and blood vessels such as hypertension (high blood pressure), coronary artery disease (heart attack and angina), heart failure, stroke, and congenital cardiovascular defects.
Osteoporosis: The Silent Disease
Osteoporosis is characterized by the progressive loss of bone mass, which increases susceptibility to fractures, especially in the hips, spine, and wrists. It is considered a silent disease because most people won’t feel their bones getting weaker and will only discover the disease after experiencing a fracture caused by a minor fall or sudden movement. However, as the disease advances, structural changes occur, causing a permanent deformity of the spine known as dowager’s hump. This deformity causes muscle fatigue and pain, and limits activities of daily living. It is also associated with the loss of 15% of one’s height.