The Woodlands Lifestyles & Homes magazine Feb 2010: Healthy Living Can Prevent the Development of Heart Disease

February is American Heart Month. National Go Red Day for women’s heart disease is Feb. 5. Both these events were created to call attention to the fact that more than 1.2 million people a year, in the United States alone, suffer from some kind of coronary event. Nearly a million of those cases end in death. Although heart disease is sometimes thought of as a man's disease, it is the leading cause of death for both women and men, and women account for 52.6 percent of deaths.

That’s the bad news about heart disease. The good news is that the factors that determine the risk of developing heart disease can usually be controlled by our own lifestyles.

According to the Center for Disease Control’s Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, the chance of developing coronary heart disease can be reduced by taking steps to prevent and control factors that put people at greater risk. Additionally, knowing the signs and symptoms of heart attack are crucial to the most positive outcomes after having a heart attack. People who have survived a heart attack can also work to reduce their risk of another heart attack or a stroke in the future.

Learn the signs, but remember this: Even if you're not sure it’s a heart attack, have it checked out. Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives —maybe your own. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1.

The American Heart Association has compiled a list of ways to prevent heart disease, stroke and heart attack. The AHA asks the probing question: Why is coronary heart disease the single major cause of death in the U.S.? One reason, they conclude, is a lack of commitment to a heart-healthy lifestyle. Lifestyle is not only the best defense against heart disease and stroke, it ’s also every individual’s personal responsibility. Following these simple steps can reduce all of the modifiable risk factors for heart disease, heart attack and stroke:

Stop smoking. If you smoke, quit. If someone in your household smokes, encourage them to quit. It ’s tougher to recover from a heart attack or stroke or to live with chronic heart disease than it is to quit smoking.

Choose good nutrition. A healthy diet is one of the best weapons available to fight cardiovascular disease. Choose nutrient-rich foods —which have vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients but are lower in calories —over nutrient-poor foods. A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole-grain and high-fiber foods, fish, lean protein and

fat-free or low-fat dairy products is the key. And to maintain a healthy weight, coordinate your diet with your physical activity level so you're burning as many calories as you take in.

Reduce blood cholesterol. Fat lodged in your arteries is a disaster waiting to happen. You must reduce your intake of saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol and get moving. If diet and physical activity alone don ’t get those numbers down, then medication may be the key.

Be physically active every day. Research has shown that getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity on five or more days of the week can help lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and keep your weight at a healthy level. But something is better than nothing, Even 10 minutes at a time may offer some health benefits.

Aim for a healthy weight. Obesity is an epidemic in America, not only for adults but also for children. Fad diets and supplements are not the answer. Good nutrition, controlling calorie intake and physical activity are the only way to maintain a healthy weight.

Manage diabetes. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of diabetes-related death. People with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease.

Reduce stress. Some scientists have noted a relationship between coronary heart disease risk and stress in a person ’s life. For example, people under stress may overeat, start smoking or smoke more than they otherwise would.

Limit alcohol. Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure and lead to heart failure or stroke. A safe average is one drink for women or two drinks for men per day. l

New Horizons Medical Clinic

Approximately the size of your fist, your heart is a very important four-chamber organ. Your heart was made to receive oxygen-free blood from the body and transport it to the lungs for oxygen; once the blood has oxygen it is then pumped by the heart muscle to the rest of the body where it will feed every cell in the body.

Far too many Americans die each year from heart disease and it is the number one killer of women over the age of 40. In 2005, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported 454,000 women and 410,000 men died as a result of heart disease.

It is important to keep our hearts healthy and not over burdened by excess weight and stress. This is why it is so important to eat healthy, exercise,
avoid smoking and maintain a weight our hearts can support.

If you suspect you or a love one is overweight, obese, or morbidly obese, you are placing your heart at risk for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and many other health issues. It is important you see your doctor annually and have your blood cholesterol and sugar levels check. Your doctor will also determine if any other tests are necessary. Please visit www.newhorizonsmedicalclinic.com to check your BMI on-line. If you are overweight, obese or morbidly obese New Horizons Medical Clinic
can help.

25510 I-45 North, Ste. 201, Spring

281-419-5544

www.newhorizonsmedicalclinic.com

st. luke’s the woodlands hospital

February is “American Heart Month,” and St. Luke’s The Woodlands Hospital encourages you to be stroke savvy and think F.A.S.T.

Here is an easy way to remember what to do to recognize a stroke when it happens:

•F=Face--ask the person to smile. If one side of the face appears crooked or drooping this person may be having a stroke.

•A=Arms--ask the person to lift both of his or her arms in the air—if he or she has difficulty with one arm this too might be a sign that this person is having a stroke.

•S=Speech--ask the person to speak. If his or her words are slurred or they are unable to speak, they might be having a stroke.

•T=T is for time. If any of the above symptoms are present you must call 911 immediately in order to make sure that this person reaches the hospital FAST.

St. Luke’s The Woodlands Hospital located at the southwest corner of SH 242 and I-45.

For more information, call 936-266-2000 or visit www.stlukeswoodlands.com.