February is Heart Health Awareness Month. KAPP KVEW and PROSSER HEART CENTER at PROSSER MEMORIAL HEALTH want you to be aware of the following:
More than 600,000 Americans die each year from Heart Disease. Here is some basic information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Symptoms of Heart Disease
- Heart attack: Chest pain or discomfort, upper back or neck pain, indigestion, heartburn, nausea or vomiting, extreme fatigue, upper body discomfort, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
- Arrhythmia: Fluttering feelings in the chest (palpitations).
- Heart failure: Shortness of breath, fatigue, or swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, abdomen, or neck veins.
Risk Factors of Heart Disease
High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease. About half of Americans (47%) have at least one of these three risk factors.2 Several other medical conditions and lifestyle choices can also put people at a higher risk for heart disease, including
By living a healthy lifestyle, you can help keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels normal and lower your risk for heart disease and heart attack.
- Choose Healthy Food and Drinks
- Keep a Healthy Weight
- Get Regular Physical Activity
- Don’t Smoke
Take Charge of Your Medical Conditions
- Check Your Cholesterol
- Control Your Blood Pressure
- Manage Your Diabetes
- Take Your Medicines as Directed
- Work with your health care team