February Is Heart Month

Heart disease is a condition that can refer to different types of heart conditions.  About 659,000 people in the United states die from heart disease every year. That’s 1 in every 4 deaths. The most common is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), which affects how the blood flows in the heart. When the blood doesn’t flow right, it can cause a heart attack. Heart disease can be there and a person may not know until they have a heart attack, heart failure or an abnormal heart rhythm. When these do occur, symptoms someone may experience:

Heart attack: Chest pain, upper back or neck pain, indigestion, heartburn, nausea or vomiting, extreme fatigue, upper body pain, dizziness and/or shortness of breath.

Abnormal heart rhythm: fluttering feeling in the chest

Heart failure: Shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in feet, ankles, legs, abdomen, or neck veins.

About ½ of the people in the United States have risk factors of heart disease including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking.  Other risk factors include: Diabetes, obesity, unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity and excessive alcohol use.

By living a healthy lifestyle, you can keep your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugars normal which keeps your risk of heart disease and heart attack low. Cigarette smoking increases your risk of heart disease. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you smoke. Quitting will lower your risk of heart disease.  Physical activity can help your weight and lower blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It is recommended that adults get at least get 30 minutes of activity a day like walking or bicycling.  Children and adolescents should get 1 hour of physical activity every day.

Attached is a 28 day calendar working towards a healthy heart. Print it off, hang it up and complete each challenge daily to a healthier you. Of course, feel free to reach out to the clinic to discuss a personalized plan to lower your risk of heart disease.

Reference: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. About Multiple Cause of Death, 1999–2019. CDC WONDER Online Database website. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2019.