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Do your part, to protect your heart

Cardiovascular Services, Your Health

A person dies every 34 seconds in the United States, due to heart disease. (1) Heart disease is currently and has been the number one cause of death for too long. (1) The heart is one of the most vital organs in the body that is responsible for distributing nutrients and oxygen throughout your body. Yet it seems we do not play our part in protecting our hearts. February is American Heart Month, and what better way to celebrate than by educating yourself about healthy hearts?

Heart

What is heart disease?

Heart disease refers to various heart diseases however, the most common heart disease is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). (2) Coronary Artery Disease is sometimes referred to as ischemic heart disease, which is the buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries. (2) This plaque builds up and restricts blood flow through the arteries over time, which can eventually lead to complete blockage of the artery. (2) Over a long period, Coronary Artery Disease can cause heart failure. The most common symptom of Coronary Artery Disease is a heart attack. (2) Some common symptoms of a heart attack are chest pain, pain that radiates down your arms, shortness of breath, and fainting. (3) If you feel like you are at having a heart attack, or you witness someone having a heart attack please call 911 immediately.

How can I limit my risk for heart disease?

Heart disease is not to be taken lightly, as you can tell this is a serious ongoing problem across the United States. Heart disease can affect any age group, race, or gender. According to the CDC, there are four main ways to take control and have a healthy heart. (4)

  • Don’t smoke or stop smoking ASAP! If you are a smoker, for the health of your heart stop smoking or transition to a smokeless tobacco product. If you are a nonsmoker avoid secondhand smoke. Smoking decreases the amount of oxygen in the blood, which then causes your blood pressure and heart rate to rise; your heart is now working extra hard to ensure oxygen is supplied throughout your body
  • Be responsible about your cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Make sure you get blood work and get your blood pressure checked regularly, as suggested by your primary care provider. Having consistently high blood pressure, without treatment will increase the stress reflected on your heart and blood vessels. By having your cholesterol checked regularly you reduce your risk of developing heart disease or control the progression of heart disease
  • Make heart healthy eating changes. To have a heart healthy diet consider making your plate more colorful. Try incorporating more whole wheat, vegetables, fruits, and leaner meats into your diet; and reduce sodium intake, alcohol, saturated or trans-fat, and sugars. To find heart healthy recipes check out the American Heart Association recipe collection
  • Stay active! The CDC recommends each adult have 150 minutes of physical activity per week or around 30 minutes per day. Physical activity can decrease blood pressure and high cholesterol, which can lower your risk of developing heart disease. Try adding three, ten-minute intervals into your day to increase your level of physical activity. These intervals could be taking a walk on your lunch break, playing with your dog at home, or even vacuuming or mopping your house.

What type of treatment is available near me?

If you have heart disease, speak with your primary care provider about treatment options. UNC Health Appalachian is committed to treating and educating patients about the importance of having a healthy heart. If you have questions or concerns about your heart’s health or if you are experiencing non-life-threatening cardiac symptoms, please reach out to The Heart and Vascular Center at (828)-264-9664 to set up your appointment today. Referrals are not necessary unless required by your insurance. If you are experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, or other life-threatening symptoms, call 911. The Appalachian Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Program is a provider-referred medically supervised exercise program located at the Paul H. Broyhill Wellness Center for patients with preexisting heart conditions.
Lyndsi

Author: Lyndsi Richardson

Lyndsi is the Community Outreach Specialist for UNC Health Appalachian. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health from Appalachian State University and is actively pursuing her Master’s in Digital Marketing from Wake Forest University. Lyndsi is passionate about rural health, health inequity, healthy aging, and health education in the High Country.

References

(1) Heart Disease Facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, October 14). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm#:~:text=due%20to%20death.-,Coronary%20Artery%20Disease,killing%20382%2C820%20people%20in%202020

(2) Coronary Artery Disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, July 19). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/coronary_ad.htm

(3) Heart Attack Symptoms, Risk, and Recovery. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, July 12). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/heart_attack.htm

(4) Heart Disease: It Can Happen at Any Age. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, January 26). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/any_age.htm

 



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