Understanding Heart Disease
Heart disease (which includes heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases) is the number one cause of death in the United States, killing nearly 787,000 in 2011. Did you know that Cardiovascular diseases claim more lives than all forms of cancer combined? Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease killing nearly 380,000 people annually.
At Hopedale Medical Complex, our goal is to provide patients and our community with the education and the tools to prevent heart disease. While a family history of heart disease can increase your risk, there is something you can do to prevent becoming a statistic of heart disease.
In order to be able to prevent heart disease, it is important to recognize certain symptoms and risk factors of Heart Disease, such as: ?
- Age: Over 50 or post menopausal ?
- Ethnic Background: African-American or Hispanic American ?
- Family History: Parent or sibling had a heart attack or stroke ?
- Personal Medical History: Diabetes, heart disease, or stroke ?
- Blood Pressure: 140/90mmHg or higher ?
- Smoking: Smoking or live/work with someone who smokes ?
- Overweight: 20 pounds or more overweight ?
- Physical Activity: Less than 30 minutes of activity per day ?
- HDL ("good") Cholesterol: Less than 40mg/dL ?
- Total Cholesterol: 200mg/DL or higher
Heart Disease Prevention
Living a healthy lifestyle is one of the easiest ways to reduce your risk of heart disease. Alcohol consumption, diet, and lack of physical activity can all affect your health. If you are a smoker, quit now. If you need assistance with quitting, contact Hopedale Medical Complex for more information on a smoking cessation program. Avoid foods high in saturated fat, cholesterol, and trans fatty acids. Stay away from foods with low nutritional value--especially those with lots of sugar, additives, and preservatives. Contact our Nutrition Services Department and our Registered Dietician can work with you on changing your diet. Try to commit to 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day. If you are not sure how to begin an exercise routine and what is best for you, contact one of HMC's Exercise Specialists to get started. If you have diabetes, talk to your health care provider and have your blood sugar checked regularly. Losing just 10 to 15 percent of excess weight will reduce your chance of getting diabetes or help keep your current diabetes under control.
Knowing your cholesterol numbers is your best defense. Ask your doctor for your total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and Blood Glucose levels. With just a few simple tests as a regular part of your heart maintenance program, you can treat problems before they become a major health issue.
For more information on heart health visit www.heart.org .