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Taking Health to Heart by DANIEL KITTREDGE
On Valentine’s Day, many of us share cards and candy with our partners and loved ones. These tokens of affection let them know how much we care for them and appreciate their presence in our lives. Yet February is more than just a time for sending messages from the heart. It is American Heart Month, an initiative of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) aimed at raising awareness of heart disease and promoting healthy lifestyles to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and other ailments. The importance of heart health, especially as people age, cannot be understated. While the heart’s indispensable role in the body’s overall functioning is obvious, it can be useful to note – as Rhode Island Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott did during a 2019 installment of the Rhode Island Department of Health’s Weekly Wellness Check-In series – just how much work the body’s engine puts in. Over the course of the average lifetime, a human heart beats approximately 2.5 billion times, sending millions of gallons of blood coursing through the circulatory system. “That’s a pretty big workload,” Alexander-Scott said. Aging, of course, takes a natural toll on the heart’s function. According to the National Institute on Aging at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, people over the age of 65 are significantly more likely to develop heart disease or experience a stroke or heart attack. Additional statistics point to the seriousness of the issue. According to 2017 figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the second-leading cause of death for Americans in the 45-64 and 65-84 age groups. Additionally, an AARP survey found that heart disease and stroke were among the top health concerns for both men and women older than 50. All of that makes heart health a matter of particular importance in Rhode Island. As of 2016, more than 217,000 Ocean State residents – approximately 20 percent of the overall population – were 60 years of age or older, according to the Rhode Island 2016 Health Aging Data Report. That figure is expected to increase significantly, to roughly 264,000, by 2040. Aging is a large part of the story, but it’s no secret that a range of lifestyle fac-
tors – diet, weight, exercise, smoking – are associated with higher risk of heart disease. That’s where American Health Month and the advice of experts come into play. “You can’t change your genes, but you can change your lifestyle,” cardiologist Jennifer H. Mieres, a professor at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, told the AARP for a story in its Healthy Living Guide. GET ACTIVE: NHLBI suggests starting a walking club or organizing a contest to see who can take the most steps. On an individual level, Alexander-Scott noted that adults are advised to engage in 30 minutes of physical activity each day. Doing so, she said, doesn’t have to entail an intensive commitment or an organized activity like tennis or basketball. “You don’t have to be Serena or Tom Brady or LeBron to be physically active … the kind of physical activity that you can do to help your heart stay healthy is as simple as walking, yoga, dancing or gardening,” she said. One specific step to take toward physical health stands above any other, however. “Quitting smoking is the single best thing that a smoker can do for the health of your heart,” Alexander-Scott said. TASTE FOR HEALTH: NHLBI offers a range of heart-conscious recipes on its website, nhlbi.nih.gov, and suggests hosting a potluck dinner or cook-off based on healthy offerings. Limiting consumption of salty foods and those high in trans fats and saturated fats is key. Other important steps include drinking plenty of water and making sure fruits, vegetables and high-fiber foots are a regular part of your diet. In the spirit of the Valentine’s season, sweethearts might also consider planning a date around heart-conscious food and activities – a hike followed by a healthy meal, for example. Limiting alcohol intake is another vital factor, as excessive drinking can have a number of negative health effects.
or tingling in the in the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back; shortness of breath; chest pain; lightheadedness; dizziness; confusion; headaches; cold sweats; nausea or vomiting; tiredness or fatigue; swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, stomach or neck; difficulty with physical activity; or an irregular heartbeat, known as arrhythmia. SPREAD THE WORD: How can people get involved in spreading the message of American Heart Month? The campaign is active on social media, using the hashtag #OurHearts as a means to raise the profile of heart health issues, share stories and offer support. NHLBI also suggests setting up an online support group with friends to encourage shared heart health goals, such as quitting smoking or losing weight. Among the other suggestions? Share information about heart health through whatever means might be available, from posting a flyer on a community bulletin board to sending a letter to the editor of the local newspaper.
matters of the heart
SEEKING SUPPORT: The National Institute on Aging cautions that symptoms of heart disease may be barely noticeable, or even nonexistent, in the early stages. That makes it especially important for people to have regular medical checkups and to share any potential symptoms with their doctor. Those symptoms can include pain, numbness
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