14BB AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO THE MIAMI HERALD MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015
The Heart of the Matter: Minorities at Risk for Heart Disease
L
iving a heart-healthy lifestyle can be
difficult at times, but it’s something that
we must do — for our own peace of mind,
health and vitality.
A recent study by the
American Heart
Association shows that
art
women’s awareness of heart
e
disease is increasing. The
number of women who know
that heart disease is the
leading cause of death has
nearly doubled in the last
15 years. However, this
knowledge still lags in
minorities and
younger women.
Awareness is only part of the challenge.
“Healthy habits are the best way to combat
heart disease,” says Marcus St. John, M.D.,
an interventional cardiologist and specialist
in cardiovascular disease at Miami Cardiac &
Vascular Institute at Baptist Hospital. “Anyone,
regardless of their age or situation, can take
steps to live a heart-healthy lifestyle.”
Dr. St. John recommends that minorities take
action against the following health conditions
acti
that contribute to poor heart health:
Obesity and being overweight. Fifty
Obesit
percent of African-American women are
obese. So, do something great and strive
So
to lose weight. Maybe start an exercise
weig
program or eat fewer high-fat foods. The
American Heart Association shares that
losing weight can lower your blood
pressure and your sugar
pres
and
an cholesterol levels and improve
other health conditions.
ot
Diabetes. African-Americans
are twice as likely to have diabetes. Watch your
sugar intake, for your own sake!
High blood pressure. African-Americans
also are at risk for high blood pressure. The
American Heart Association advises that
you can lower your risk by eating less salt or
sodium, drinking less alcohol, exercising and
maintaining a healthy weight. The pressure is
on for you to make a change!
Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute invites you
to love your heart more in February with free
cardiac calcium scoring, available at Baptist
Health hospitals and diagnostic imaging
locations in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe
counties. You are a candidate if you are age
40-65 and have any of the following risk factors:
smoking, family history of heart disease