February is American Heart Month

By Catherine Rice, Vice President of Marketing/Outreach

Raise awareness about heart health and urge those around you to prevent heart disease!

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. To prevent heart disease and increase awareness of its effects, Health Partnership Clinic is proudly participating in American Heart Month. Every year, one in four deaths are caused by heart disease.

The good news? Heart disease can often be prevented when people make healthy choices and manage their health conditions. Communities, health professionals, and families can work together to create opportunities for people to make healthier choices.

The clinic is bringing awareness by wearing red on Wear Red Day on Friday, Feb. 7. Heart healthy information will also be available.

You can make healthy changes to lower your risk of developing heart disease. Controlling and preventing risk factors is also important for people who already have heart disease. Wael S. Mourad, MD, MHCM, FAAFP, Health Partnership’s Chief Health Officer, offers the following ways 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.
• Manage stress.
• Get active and eat healthy.

Am I at risk for heart disease?

 Everyone is at risk for heart disease. But you are at higher risk for heart disease if you:

• Have high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
• Are overweight or obese.
• Don’t get enough physical activity.
• Don’t eat a healthy diet.

Your age and family history also affect your risk for heart disease.

Your risk is higher if:

• You are a woman over age 55.
• You are a man over age 45.
• Your father or brother had heart disease before age 55.
• Your mother or sister had heart disease before age 65.

For more information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/features/heartmonth.