February is Heart Health observance month, a time for all to focus on their cardiovascular health, raise awareness on the importance of a healthy heart and to encourage healthy habits that help reduce the risk of heart disease. It is important to detect cardiovascular disease as early as possible so that management and medicines can begin.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a general term for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels. Heart attacks and strokes are usually acute events and are mainly caused by a blockage that prevents blood from flowing to the heart or brain.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally.
- About half of all adults in many countries have some form of cardiovascular disease
- An estimated 17.9 million people die each year
- Represents 32% of all global deaths
- Of these deaths, 85% were due to heart attack and stroke
Improve your Heart Disease Risk Factors – Most people have at least one or more risk factors for heart disease and do not realize it. These can be improved to reduce risk:
- Obesity/Overweight – Make small sustainable changes to improve your nutrition, even a 5 pound weight loss can reduce risk.
- Physical inactivity – start moving for 30-60 minutes every day!
- Diabetes, high blood sugar – get screened! A healthy diet, reduce your intake of processed foods, and treatment by your health care provider can reduce risk.
- Smoking/tobacco use – talk to your health care provider about strategies for quitting.
- High blood pressure – get screened! Blood pressure can be treated/controlled.
- High blood cholesterol – this can be improved with diet, exercise and appropriate medical treatment
- Develop long-term, strong, healthy friendships - Close effective friendships reduce risk for many diseases, and studies show can add 8 years to your life on average!
- Get screened for heart disease and risk factors! Catching it early can save your life
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Life is Precious and every day is a gift! DrJerry
Jerry Strohkorb, MD MPH FACOEM