February is American Heart Month
February 21,2017
You may have seen or participated in a campaign to wear red early in the month. This year in addition to National Wear Red Day to raise awareness for good heart health, the American Heart Association created Go Red For Women day as a passionate, emotional, social initiative to dispel myths and raise awareness of heart disease & stroke as the number one killer of women in our country. Often dismissed as a disease that affects older men, nearly half a million women in America die each year from cardiovascular disease. Many of them unaware of their health condition. The movement hopes to harness the power women have to band together in a common effort to reduce their personal risk by giving them the tools they need for good heart health.
In addition to these targeted campaigns, February is American Heart Month. Heart disease accounts for 1 in 4 deaths each year and is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. According to the American Heart Association, their goal is to use the month that people already associate with heart-shaped valentines to get communities, health professionals and families to work together to make small changes that can produce big results. It is the month dedicated to providing as much education as possible through every resource that is available.
During American Heart Month, everyone is encouraged to take action and Be the Cure! by supporting healthier communities and healthier lives. Controlling and preventing risk factors is the number one way of lower someone's risk of developing heart disease. To lower your risk:
- Watch your weight.
- Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.
- Control your cholesterol and blood pressure.
- If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
- Get active and eat healthy.
The good news? Heart disease is one of the most preventable causes of death. By making heart-healthy choices, knowing your family health history and the risk factors for heart disease, having regular check-ups and working with your physician to manage your health, you can help save lives from this silent killer. To get started, schedule a wellness exam at either PrimeMed location. It takes very little of your time to have a blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose test completed on you and your loved ones. Call 904-269-0500 or use this website's online Request Appointment feature.
