February: American Heart Month
It’s a new year. Like many people, you
might have made new resolutions about diet and
fitness to improve your heart health. You made
them for a good reason: each year, about 1.1
million Americans suffer a heart attack. Many
of these heart attacks can be prevented. The
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
and the American Heart Association offer many
tools to help you eat right, get fit, and prevent
heart disease and heart attacks.
To find tools to help you lower your heart
disease and heart attack risk, visit NHLBI at
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth/lower/tools.htm.
Visit the Start! Campaign for tips on getting
fit: www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3051188.
Sources: National Health Information Center,
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; American
Heart Association.
 Focus On: Heart Disease
The Basics
When people talk about heart disease,
they are usually talking about coronary artery
disease. This is the most common type of heart
disease.
Coronary artery disease occurs when arteries
that bring blood to the heart become narrow
or blocked.
Artery walls become narrow because of plaque,
a buildup of fatty material that sticks to the
sides of the arteries. When no more blood can
get through, the heart cannot get oxygen. This
can lead to a heart attack.
The Risks
Certain factors increase your risk
for heart disease. You are at a higher risk
if you are:
- A woman age 55 or older
- A man age
45 or older
- Related to someone who had early
heart disease
Other risk factors for heart
disease include:
- Obesity or overweight
- Smoking
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Heavy drinking
- Diabetes
To learn more about managing heart disease,
which is the leading cause of death for both
men and women in the United States, visit:
Your
Guide to Living Well with Heart Disease and the American
Heart Association.
Sources: American Heart Association, National Health Information Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Prevention Tips:
Managing
Blood Pressure
Wear
Red Day
February 1,
2008 is National
Wear Red Day, a day to
focus attention on women’s risk
for heart disease. You can find materials
on the NHLBI Web site to promote heart
health awareness in your workplace and
in your community. Read and work on an
action plan or find heart-healthy recipes.
Sources: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute |
Lowering your blood pressure can reduce your
risk of heart disease and stroke. Starting at
age 18, you should have your blood pressure
checked at least every 2 years. It is important
to check your blood pressure often, especially
if you are over 40 years old.
Blood pressure is recorded as two numbers.
Normal blood pressure is 120/80 (said “120
over 80”). High blood pressure is 140/90
or higher. High blood pressure increases your
risk for heart disease. These are things you
can do to lower both your blood pressure and
your risk for heart disease:
- Get your blood pressure checked.
- Get
your cholesterol checked.
- Talk to your doctor
about taking aspirin every day.
- Drink alcohol
in moderation.
- Eat healthy.
- Get active.
- Quit smoking.
Know
the Signs of a Heart Attack
Many heart attacks start slowly, as a
mild pain or discomfort. It’s important
to learn the warning signs of a heart
attack. These signs may be different for
men and women. Some signs of a heart attack
are:
- Feeling pressure, squeezing,
or pain in the center of your chest
- Pain
in your arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
- Feeling
out of breath
- Other signs include
breaking out in a cold sweat, an upset
stomach, or dizziness
Sources: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute |
To learn more about managing high blood pressure,
visit these sites:
Your Guide to Lowering Blood Pressure
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/your_guide/living_well.pdf
High Blood Pressure Information for Seniors
nihseniorhealth.gov/highbloodpressure/toc.html
Sources: National Health Information Center
National Health Observances — February
2008
For a comprehensive list of 2008
National Health Observances, visit: www.healthfinder.gov/library/nho
Resources
Act in Time to Heart Attack Signs
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/actintime/index.htm
Aspirin in Heart Attack and Stroke Prevention
www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4456
Heart Attack Risk Assessment
hp2010.nhlbihin.net/atpiii/calculator.asp?usertype=pub
Interactive Menu Planner
hp2010.nhlbihin.net/menuplanner/menu.cgi
MyPyramid Tracker
www.mypyramidtracker.gov/
Online Guide to Quitting
www.smokefree.gov/quit-smoking/nicotine_addiction.asp
President’s Challenge
www.fitness.gov/home_pres_chall.htm
Shape Up America! Cyberkitchen
www.shapeup.org/atmstd/kitchen/page0.php
Test Your Cholesterol IQ
www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3032767 |