What You Can Do to Control the Risk of Heart disease •
Don’t smoke.
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Treat high blood pressure and/or diabetes.
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Commit to losing weight. Just losing 10% of your total weight can have a big positive effect on your heart health.
Take stains for high cholesterol (total 200 mg/dL or higher).
Exercise. Any movement is better than none. Eat a diet low in saturated and trans fats and sodium.
Combat stress with relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation
misdiagnosis. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, women’s heart attack symptoms are seven times more likely to be misdiagnosed. Women are often told that they are suffering from stress or symptoms from bad diets and sent home which could be deadly.
Be Proactive, Not Reactive
The news surrounding heart disease is not all gloom and doom. In fact, it can be prevented in most cases. A few best practices for halting heart attacks include regular doctor visits, lifestyle changes, and education. Adults should make every effort to see their doctor regularly for annual physicals. Physicals or well visits are now covered as an essential benefit for all health insurance plans under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) so cost should not be a barrier. Although people may not be able to control their gene pool, they can control their diet and exercise regimen. One diet plan that addresses high blood pressure and has been recommended by the Ameri-
can Heart Association for many years is the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. The DASH diet was designed to address hypertension and lower systolic blood pressure which can positively impact health outcomes. The plan stresses consumption of vegetables, fruits and whole grains and restricting sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams a day. Nutritionists can help develop eating and workout plans that will suit many budgets and schedules. Some health insurance plans may even cover their services. All it takes is an inquiry. Aside from access to care and referrals to specialists whenever possible, there are dozens of programs aimed at educating people on the signs of a heart attacks and suggestions for a healthier lifestyle. Enter the Million Hearts Campaign. The goal of this campaign is to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes over the next five years. Learning how to prevent heart disease is a key piece in making sure that heart attacks do not occur. How does one do that? By knowing the ABCS of heart disease: Aspirin for those at risk for a heart attack, Blood pressure control, Cholesterol management, Smoking cessation and Sodium reduction. Locally, residents can consult with health insurance plans such as Unity Healthcare, Amerihealth and Trusted Health to see what programs or services are available for heart health. Heart disease is not to be taken lightly. Warning signs exist for a reason and they should be respected. But there are many ways to avoid having a heart attack or stroke. Prevention and care can go along way. It may be in your family but that doesn’t mean you are helpless against it. Consult with your primary care physician to see if the DASH Diet is right for you. For more information about the Million Hearts Campaign, visit www.millionhearts. hhs.gov
HEAR T H E C A N D I D AT E S
SPEAK! WARD 8 CAN D I DATE FO RU M HOSTED BY EAGLE ACADEMY PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL
February 18 at 7 PM Eagle Academy Public Charter School 3400 Wheeler Road SE All candidates running for Ward 8 City Council have been invited to participate. Ward 8 community leaders, Mr. James Mullings and Mr. Kim Ly Sarin, will assist moderating the forum. Light refreshments will be served.
Candace Y.A. Montague is a health reporter for Capital Community News u EAST OF THE RIVER MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2015 H 39