Jeffco Health marks Heart Month with prevention message
SUBMITTED BY: Kodi Bryant, Public Health Information Specialist, Jefferson County Public Health
This February, American Heart Month, take some time to consider the health of your heart and begin reducing your risk of heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women and men in the U.S. The American Heart Association estimates that approximately 1.1 million Americans will have a new or recurrent coronary (heart) attack this year.
Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) reminds everyone that adopting a healthy lifestyle can greatly reduce your chances of death and disability from heart disease and stroke.
Increasing physical activity, healthy eating, smoke-free living, weight control and other healthy habits, may be hard to develop but go a long way in assuring you quality of life. And remember, love, laughter and happiness reduce levels of stress, anxiety and depression. Happy minds help to create happy bodies, so have a Happy Valentines Day.
JCPH Heart Wise Program …
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Colorado and the U.S. The JCPH Heart Wise Program is designed to help women and men 40- to 64-years-old reduce their risk of heart disease and promote a heart-healthy lifestyle. The goal is to provide low-income, under-insured or uninsured women and men with the skills they need to improve diet, physical activity, and other lifestyle behaviors to prevent, delay and control cardiovascular disease. Formerly for women only, the program now offers services to men, as well. Call 303-239-7046 to see if you qualify and begin reducing your risks of heart disease.
Get Your Heart Into It . . .
You can live longer, improve your health, and reduce your risk of heart disease or stroke by adopting a healthier lifestyle.
Stay Active . . . At Least 30 minutes a Day
An active lifestyle can greatly reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Visit: Active Living Brochure >>Physical Activity Guidelines
Eat Healthy . . . Try to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, have plenty of whole grains and stay away from foods with saturated and trans fats as well as those high in sodium. Call JCPH Nutrition Services 303-239-7160 or, for dietary guidelines, visit: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1200000 or http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/index.html.
Stop Smoking . . . You Can Quit, We Can Help
Heart disease kills many more smokers than lung cancer. When you smoke or breathe second-hand smoke, your heart works harder with less oxygen, increasing your risk for cardiovascular diseases. According to the American Heart Association, more than 170,000 people die from smoking-related heart disease each year. If you smoke, think about quitting. The Quitline (1-800) 784-8669 and the web site www.co.quitnet.com are free support resources. JCPH also offers a free Getting Ready to Quit class in addition to support and resources for quitting or for reducing exposure to second-hand smoke. Call the Tobacco Prevention Initiative at 303-275-7555.
Know Your Numbers . . . Know Your Risks
Monitor and control blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels. High numbers increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. Talk with your health care provider and work on lowering your numbers.
Know the Warning Signs . . . Act in Time!
Learn the warning signs and the importance of calling 9-1-1 immediately at the onset of symptoms. The American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute “Act in Time” campaign can be accessed at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/actintime/index.htm . Or, download the JCPH educational handout on stroke and heart attack warning signs.
For more information about heart disease and stroke visit the American Heart Association web site at www.americanheart.org; for information on diabetes, visit the American Diabetes Association site: http://www.diabetes.org/.
