National Heart Month: Four Easy Ways to Show Your Heart Some Love

由D. Jeff Neal, DO, Interventional Cardiologist, FryeCare 心脏病学

心脏是一种神奇的肌肉. 每一天, 你的心跳超过2,000加仑血, 通过60度循环氧气,000 miles of blood vessels in your body. 我的肌肉承受了太多的压力, it’s no surprise that heart diseases are the #1 cause of death in America – if your heart weakens or stops beating, cells throughout your body lose the nutrients they need to keep living.

February is American Heart Month – a time to celebrate all our hearts do for us, and to recognize what we can do to keep our hearts healthy. While the dangers of cardiovascular disease are real, the good news is that an estimated 80% of heart disease can be prevented. Simple awareness habits and changes in lifestyle can greatly reduce your heart risk, and help you catch problems earlier when they do occur. 这个月, treat your heart well with these healthy heart practices.

了解你的健康指数.

Managing your health is key to preventing heart disease, and two numbers essential to heart health are your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

血压 represents the pressure your blood exerts on your arteries as it travels through your body. If your blood pressure is too high for too long, it can damage your arteries and increase your risk of heart disease.

胆固醇 is a fat-like substance found in your blood, and comes in two forms – high-density lipoprotein (“HDL” or “good” cholesterol) is healthy and produced naturally by your body, whereas low-density lipoprotein (“LDL” or “bad” cholesterol) is gained by eating fatty foods. If your “bad” cholesterol levels grow too high, plaque can build up in your arteries, stifling the flow of blood to your heart.

其他风险因素 include age, genetic background and family health history. While these risks are outside your control, it’s important to monitor them and discuss them with your provider – the higher your baseline heart risk, the more vital it is to control your other risk factors. 这个月, schedule an appointment to test your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and ask your primary care provider how you can keep your numbers in a healthy range.

吃有益心脏健康的饮食.

A healthy diet is the best way to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, and to get your heart the nutrients it needs. Reduce your “bad” cholesterol by eating foods that are high in fiber, such as whole grains and leafy greens, and by consuming fewer saturated fats and trans fats. Lower your blood pressure by limiting your intake of salt, alcohol, and added sugars. 选择蛋白质时, 多吃坚果, 豆类, 还有瘦肉，比如鸡肉和鱼肉, while cutting back on red meat and fried food.

In addition, smoking is strongly linked to both high blood pressure and heart disease. If you’re a current smoker, reach out for help with quitting. Find free cessation resources by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Build a hardy heart with cardio exercise.

Like any muscle, your heart becomes stronger the more it’s used. Cardiovascular exercise – physical activity that elevates your heart rate – is essential for your health, and helps you manage your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The average person should get 150 minutes of cardio exercise each week. This can equate to a 30-minute jog each day after work, or a couple evenings per week playing recreational sports. Find an activity you enjoy and set a time in your schedule when you know you can get up and move.

了解心脏病发作的症状.

并非所有的心脏病都有症状. 经常, 这种情况是“沉默”,” with risk factors going unseen and unaddressed until the day of a heart attack. That’s why it’s so vital to discuss your risks with a provider. When symptoms do occur, they sometimes leave patients with little warning. Call 9-1-1 immediately if you or someone you love experiences any of the following:

• Pain or discomfort in the chest, arm, neck, or upper back
• Fluttering feelings in the chest (arrhythmia)
• Feeling dizzy, faint, or out of breath
• Women may also experience sudden nausea or exhaustion

No one should have to live in fear of heart disease. By taking charge of your blood pressure and cholesterol, and recognizing the warning signs of a heart attack, you can lift a real weight off your chest. 这个心脏月, schedule a visit with your primary care provider and ask about the steps you can take to live a healthy life.

If you would like to speak to a provider about your heart health, Frye Regional Medical Center can help. 拨打828-315-3391或访问 “找医生”选项卡 在MyFryeRegional.com to schedule an appointment today. In the event of a heart-related emergency, call 9-1-1. Minutes matter, and acting quickly may save a life, including your own.