February is American Heart Month. Whether or not you participated by having a free blood pressure screening at Family Health Centers of San Diego’s (FHCSD) Love Your Heart event, it is always important to monitor your heart health throughout the year.
Did you know that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) roughly 610,000 people die of heart disease in the United States each year? That’s 1 out of every 4 deaths. The first step in protecting your heart is to know your health status. A yearly physical and screenings help to keep your health on the right track.
Many factors contribute to heart disease, including genetics, age, race or ethnicity. While these factors are out of your control, there are several behaviors and conditions that increase chances of developing heart disease. The best way to lower your risk is to know the risk factors and take proper action.
Key risk factors:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
If you are affected by one or more of these risk factors, all hope is not lost. These can be reversed through simple lifestyle changes. High blood pressure and high cholesterol are often caused by a poor diet high in salt and fat. Talk to your doctor about making adjustments to your diet. Also, make sure you are exercising regularly, at least 60 minutes each day.
Smoking tobacco increases your chances for heart disease and heart attack. If you want to quit but need help, FHCSD offers support through free smoking cessation classes. Call Lilia Gomez at (619) 515-2327 for more information.
Challenge yourself and your family to make heart health a priority all year-round. To begin, schedule an appointment at a FHCSD clinic near you by calling (619) 515-2300.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
