February may be best known for Valentine’s Day, but did you know that since 1964 it has been designated American Heart Month as well? During Heart Month, everyone is encouraged to focus on increasing public awareness about cardiovascular disease. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death, killing one out of every four Americans, and every year one in three women will be diagnosed with heart disease. This means we all know a friend or loved one that has heart disease or has died from heart disease. There is hope that by taking proactive steps, not just this month, but in the days and years to come, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from this life-threatening disease.
“The first step in the fight against heart disease is prevention and screening,” says Damon Motley, RN a cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation nurse at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Jefferson City, Mo.
One type of heart disease is coronary artery disease, where cholesterol filled plaques occlude the arteries of the heart, eventually leading to a heart attack. This is a progressive disease that begins when we are young and, depending on a number of risk factors, either stabilizes or worsens over time. Because it is a lifelong process, everyone should have at least yearly screenings performed by a health care professional for risk factors that include basic measurements for blood pressure, weight, body mass index, and labs to measure fasting blood sugar and cholesterol numbers. These numbers are important to measure and track to see trends over time and determine if interventions are needed to manage them.
If you begin to have signs and symptoms that your heart is not getting good blood flow, such as chest pain or pressure with exertion, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, cold sweats, or shortness of breath, your doctor may order more advanced screenings, such as, an electrocardiogram to check your heart rhythm; a stress test; or even a cardiac catheterization to check the coronary arteries for blockages. These tests can detect a problem early before a more serious heart attack occurs.
“The key to preventing heart disease is knowing your numbers and making healthy choices every day so that your heart stays healthy today and in the years to come,” says Motely.
Another important part of heart disease awareness that goes hand in hand with prevention is intervention. “An intervention is something you can do to actively reduce your risk for heart disease,” added Motely.
Some risk factors like age, sex, family history, socio-economic status, and environment cannot be easily changed, if at all. Fortunately, researchers have identified dozens of risk factors that can be modified, meaning that you have the power to choose and control these risk factors. These interventions could be lifestyle modifications to eat less food to lose weight; get more physical activity and exercise; stop smoking; abstain from alcohol; learn ways to better manage stress; get more sleep; and eat more fruits and vegetables and less processed foods. Your doctor may even prescribe medication to lower your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. Learning new habits is challenging, but the more ways you can find to live a healthier lifestyle, the less chance you and your family will have of developing heart disease.
“As a cardiac rehabilitation nurse, I see first-hand the impact heart disease has on my patient’s physical, mental, and emotional wellness. Every year Heart Month renews my sense of urgency to engage with others on this important topic,” said Motley.
February is filled with opportunities to learn more about heart disease, get screened for risk factors, and start changing your bad habits into good ones. You can make an appointment with your doctor to be screened as well as discuss your diet and exercise plans. You can take a CPR class so you are prepared to save a life should someone go into cardiac arrest. You can check-in on a loved one to make sure they are taking their medications and going to their doctor appointments. You can help spread the word and make a difference not just in your health, but in your family, friends, and community.
Heart Disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. Find out your 10-year risk for developing the condition by utilizing a FREE SSM Health Heart Risk Assessment today.
