Church Partnership Newsletter February 2015 | Page 2

Heart Health Awareness
February is American Heart Month, a time to learn about your risks for heart disease and stroke and stay "heart healthy"
for yourself and your loved ones.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD)—including heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure—is the number 1 killer of
women and men in the United States. It is a leading cause of disability, preventing Americans from working and enjoying
family activities. CVD costs the United States over $300 billion each year; including the cost of health care services,
medications, and lost productivity.
CVD does not affect all groups of people in the same way. Although the number of preventable deaths has declined in
people aged 65 to 74 years, it has remained unchanged in people under age 65. Men are more than twice as likely as
women to die from preventable CVD.
Race and ethnicity also effect your risk. Nearly 44% of African American men and 48% of African American women have
some form of CVD. And African Americans are more likely than any other racial or ethnic group to have high blood
pressure and to develop the condition earlier in life. About 2 in 5 African American adults have high blood pressure, yet
fewer than half of them have the condition under control.
Many CVD deaths could have been prevented through healthier habits, healthier living spaces, and better management
of conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes.
Work with your health care team. Get a checkup at
least once each year, even if you feel healthy. A health
care professional can check for conditions that put you
at risk for CVD, such as high blood pressure and
diabetes—conditions that can go unnoticed for too
long.
Know your family history. Having a close relative who
has heart disease puts you at higher risk for CVD.
Monitor your blood pressure. High blood pressure
often has no symptoms. Check it on a regular basis at
home, at a pharmacy, or at a doctor's office.
Get your cholesterol checked. Your health care team
should test your cholesterol levels at least once every 5
years. Talk with your health care professional about this
simple blood test.
Eat a healthy diet. Choosing healthful meal and snack
options can help you avoid CVD and its complications.
Limiting sodium in your diet can lower your blood
pressure. Be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and
vegetables—adults should have at least five servings
each day. Eat foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, and
cholesterol and high in fiber.
Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese
can increase your risk for CVD. To determine whether
your weight is in a healthy range, health care

Resources: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/HeartMonth/

professionals often calculate a number called body
mass index (BMI). Doctors sometimes also use waist
and to determine your risk for CVD.
Exercise regularly. Physical activity can help you
maintain a healthy weight and lower cholesterol and
blood pressure. It is recommended that adults should
engage in moderate-intensity activity for at least 150
minutes per week.
Don't smoke. Cigarette smoking greatly increases your
risk for CVD. If you don't smoke, don't start. If you do
smoke, quit as soon as possible. Your health care team
can suggest ways to help you quit.
Limit alcohol use. Avoid drinking too much alcohol,
which can increase your blood pressure. Men should
drink no more than two drinks per day, and women to
no more than one.
Manage your diabetes. If you have diabetes, monitor
your blood sugar levels closely, and talk with your
health care team about treatment options.
Take your medicine. If you're taking medication to treat
high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or
another condition, follow the instructions carefully.
Always ask questions if you don't understand
something. If you have side effects, talk with your
health care team about your options.