Monthly Focus

Heart to Heart: Take Your Risk for Heart Disease Seriously

Let’s get to the heart of the matter: February is American Heart Month, a time set aside to raise awareness about heart disease. It is the number one cause of death in the United States.

The most common type of heart disease in the United States is coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD is related to plaque buildup in your arteries. Plaque is made of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other materials in the blood. Over time, it can build up in your arteries, making them narrower. This limits the flow of blood and oxygen to your body. When plaque builds up in the arteries of the heart, you can develop CAD.

Are You at Risk?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk factors for heart disease are so common that nearly 50 percent of adults age 20 or older have at least one of the three leading risk factors, including:

• Uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension)
• Uncontrolled cholesterol level
• Smoking

And there are other factors that may contribute to heart disease, including gender and ethnicity.

Both men and women are at risk for cardiovascular disease, yet many still think of it as mostly an older man’s disease. Cardiovascular disease claims the lives of more than 400,000 American women each year and is the number one killer of women. Yet many women are still not aware of how serious their risk is. This may prevent women from taking steps to reduce their risk or from seeking treatment. The American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women campaign helps raise awareness and encourages women to take charge of their heart health.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for people of most racial/ethnic groups in the United States. But some ethnic groups are affected by heart disease and stroke more than others. For example, African-American men are more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic white men. Among all ethnic groups, African-Americans of both genders have the highest rate of high blood pressure, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. And they tend to develop it at an earlier age than other groups.

What Can You Do About It?
You know the risks are out there, but what can you do to lower them?

The Million Hearts^TM national health initiative was launched in 2011 to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes in this country by 2017. The Million Hearts initiative urges everyone to:

• Know the risks: Prevent heart disease and stroke in your family by learning about the risks and how to help prevent cardiovascular disease.
• Get up and get active: Exercise for 30 minutes on most days of the week. You don’t need a gym to take a walk, go for a run or exercise at home.
• Know the ABCS:
  • Appropriate aspirin therapy (as recommended by your doctor)
  • Blood pressure control
  • Cholesterol management
  • Stop smoking
• Eat a heart-healthy diet: Make sure your diet is high in fresh fruits and vegetables and low in sodium (less than 1,500 milligrams), saturated and trans fats, and cholesterol. Try adding more fresh foods to your diet, and check food labels before you buy.
• Follow instructions: Take control of your heart health by following your doctor’s instructions for medications and treatment.

The American Heart Association offers the online tool My Life Check^TM to help. The tool helps you assess your individual lifestyle risks and develop a plan for lowering them.

Talk to your doctor about managing your risks for heart disease. When you get your checkup, share your health history, get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked, and ask if taking aspirin for your heart each day is right for you.

For more encouragement, you can take the Million Hearts pledge. And encourage your friends and family to take it, too.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008, 2011, 2012; American Heart Association; Million Hearts, 2007