The Nurturing Well by: Jill Starbuck
February is often filled with hearts of all sorts, including heart-covered cards, heart-shaped candy, and heart-filled wishes. But February is not just synonymous with Valentine’s Day anymore; it is also tied in with the real, physical heart that keeps our bodies functioning. February marks American Heart Month, raising awareness of potential issues that often become serious heart problems such as heart disease.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year more than half a million Americans die from heart disease, making it the number one killer in the United States. With 1 in every 4 deaths related to heart disease, this health issue costs the United States nearly $110 billion annually. Typical risk factors include high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, poor diet, and stationary lifestyle. As you can see, most often these risk factors can be controlled.
Perhaps the sneakiest and often most critical risk factors are high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The CDC estimates that 1 in every 3 adults, equating to 67 million people, have high blood pressure. High cholesterol sufferers number about 71 million people. Of the millions of people who have high blood pressure and/or cholesterol, less than half have control over these issues. Some likely do not realize they even have a problem. Without signs or symptoms, high blood pressure and/or cholesterol can become a deadly surprise.
To help prevent heart disease, the American Heart Association introduced four new guidelines in November of 2014.
- Risk Assessment: Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to understand your risk level for heart disease. Armed with high-tech calculators, a host of risk factors to identify, and the knowledge to diagnose potential issues, your healthcare provider is the best place to start. Remember that high blood pressure is a common and deadly threat without a warning sign. The best way to combat high blood pressure is to get frequent checkups.
- Obesity: Remain at a healthy weight level to avoid many issues that obesity can cause. Learn how to eat properly by seeking a nutritionist who can tell you what your caloric needs are and how to avoid falling into common eating traps.
- Cholesterol: As mentioned earlier, high cholesterol can be a silent killer. In fact, those with high cholesterol have twice the likelihood of getting heart disease than those who have normal cholesterol levels. Seek a physician to learn your cholesterol level.
- Lifestyle: What we eat and how we live affects our health in a big way. Seek to eat a clean diet with lots of fruits and vegetables. Work exercise into your daily routine.
Make February your Heart Month by scheduling a yearly exam to protect your heart. To learn more about potential heart problems, warning signs, and more prevention techniques, check out the American Heart Association at www.heart.org and the CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/index.htm.
Jill Starbuck has 20 years of experience as a business writer, editor, and market research analyst. She is a certified health coach through the Integrative Institute of Nutrition and a certified running coach through the Road Runners Club of America. She is also the co-owner of a running business. She can be reached at jillstarbuck@hotmail.com.
