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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, February 1, 2010 |
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Get Heart Healthy: Know Your Risk for Heart DiseaseDENVER-The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment today urged Coloradans to find out about their personal risk for heart disease during February, American Heart Month. “Knowledge is power,” said Marsha Wilde, program manager for the department’s Heart Disease and Stroke Program. “Learning your risk factors for heart disease can form the foundation for a healthier lifestyle and a longer life.” Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in Colorado and the nation. One in four Americans has high blood pressure, one of the key predictors of heart disease. Yet 30 percent of people with high blood pressure are unaware they have it, and 70 percent don’t take the necessary steps to manage it. Every year since 1963, Congress has declared February a month to build awareness and take action to help prevent and manage heart disease. The first step, according to Wilde, is to find out if you are at risk, or if you have heart disease, by getting screened for blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels. She recommended you see your doctor or take advantage of free or low-cost screenings at organizations, pharmacies or health fairs. Getting screened early and often can put you in control of your health. Once you’ve been screened, Wilde said, talk with your doctor and refer to trusted health resources, such as the American Heart Association or Medline Plus, about how to manage your risk factors. If your blood levels are high, your doctor may prescribe medications and/or recommend lifestyle changes. But whether your levels or low or high, the health department suggested several simple steps you can take to prevent and control heart disease. Quit smoking. Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease. A recent Institute of Medicine study revealed that even brief exposure to secondhand smoke can trigger heart attacks. Help is just a call or a click away. Call 1-800-Quit-Now (1-800-784-8669) for free quit-smoking coaching and a free supply of nicotine patches or go to www.myquitpath.org for stop-smoking strategies that fit your lifestyle. Lose weight. The two-thirds of Americans who are either overweight or obese face a higher risk of heart disease. Tracking your weight, physical activity and calorie consumption can help you achieve a healthy balance. To lose weight, decrease the number of calories you consume and increase the calories you burn through exercise. Limiting your portion size, cutting down on snacks and eliminating sugary drinks can go a long way toward lowering your weight and your risk of heart disease. Eat better. A diet rich in fat, salt and cholesterol also can lead to heart disease. People who manage their nutrition can reduce their risk of heart disease. Buy fresh instead of frozen food; eat fish, especially oily fish, twice a week; broil or bake your food in vegetable oil instead of frying it in lard; limit the high-calorie sauces and salt you add to your meals; and replace your doughnuts, sugary sodas and high-calorie snacks with whole-grain breads, low-fat milk and fresh fruits and vegetables. Brush or floss after meals, because tooth decay also is a heart health risk factor. Exercise more. Studies show sedentary people are more likely to get heart disease than people who are active. So reduce your screen time by walking away from your television, computer or cell phone for some time with friends and family. Studies show that most people enjoy walking as an exercise, so try gradually walking farther or faster to burn more calories. You also can commit to more activity in your day-to-day life: take the stairs instead of the elevator, park farther away from stores instead of circling to find the closest spot, or take your bike on errands instead of your car. The “heart” of the matter is to find your risk factors and do something about them today, health department officials said. Celebrate American Heart Month by getting screened, getting healthy and sharing your health with family and friends for many years. ---30--- |
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