Chronic Disease Educator and DPP Program Coordinator,
Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale County Health Departments
You may have seen headlines like these before:
“A Joyous Birth, Followed by Heart Failure”1
“47-year-old Relearned to Walk, Talk and Count After Stroke”2
The heart is an essential organ that pumps oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood throughout the body. Conditions that block the flow of blood through the blood vessels, or decrease how well the heart beats, can have long-term negative effects. Cardiovascular disease is a collection of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels; these include heart attack and stroke. Heart disease is the number one leading cause of death in Georgia; stroke is the 5th leading cause. As of 2019, Georgia had the 14th highest death rate from cardiovascular disease3.
American Heart Month is the time when our attention turns to our hearts, whether physically or emotionally! Thinking about heart health might seem like just another task to do, especially when we are juggling other important matters. Thankfully, there are resources to help. Being heart-healthy isn’t something that an individual has to do by themselves; it is a family and community effort. This Heart Month, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has launched the campaign #OurHearts to remind us that preventing or managing heart disease is less stressful when we are doing it together! Not only is it more motivating to have someone cheering you on, but it is important for those close to us to be aware of the signs and symptoms4 of heart attack and stroke, in the event of an emergency. Fortunately, the survivors mentioned in the headlines above recovered, in part, because of the quick action of family members and healthcare teams.
- Understand your risk
- Presence of family history of heart disease; obesity, diabetes
- Get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked
- Goal blood pressure is <120/80; goal cholesterol is <200 for most people
- Choose heart-healthy foods
- Increase fruits and vegetables, limit foods that are high in salt and fat
- Aim for a healthy weight
- Ask your doctor if your current weight puts you at increased risk. Weight goals vary based on the individual.
- Manage stress
- Take time for self-care; find hobbies and other healthy outlets to relieve stress; seek therapy, if needed
- Get regular physical activity
- Plan a dance party or go for a walk with loved ones; take advantage of community parks for no cost
- Quit smoking
- Contact the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line for support at 1-877-270-STOP
- Get enough good-quality sleep
- Adults should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep daily
Of these recommendations, maintaining a healthy blood pressure is vital! Nearly half (47%) of adults in the United States have high blood pressure, or hypertension, which puts them at increased risk of heart disease and stroke.6 High blood pressure is a condition where the pressure of the blood pushing on the blood vessels is too high. Factors that can contribute to elevated blood pressure include age, a family history of high blood pressure,stress, and physical inactivity. Eating habits such as high salt intake can also play a role, especially for individuals who are more sensitive to salt. High blood pressure is more common among African Americans and Hispanics.7
At Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Departments, we recognize that multiple social factors affect one’s ability to prevent or manage heart disease, such as healthcare access and economic differences. To help address these barriers, we are sponsoring the YMCA’s Blood Pressure Self-Management program for eligible individuals! Send an email to sabrinar@ymcaatlanta.org to find out about our upcoming information session or to register for the 4-month program. Participants will even get a blood pressure monitor to use for the duration of the program. We offer blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose screenings for only $5.
The Health Departments also sponsor or refer to ongoing community diabetes education classes, the CDC-led Diabetes Prevention Program, as well as SNAP-Ed nutrition classes. Visit our Community Health page (https://www.gnrhealth.com/community-health/) for information about our community programs, as well as links to resources about physical activity and nutrition! All of these classes are currently offered virtually, but arrangements can be made for those without internet access. Helpful handouts, recipes, and other information can be picked up at the Newton Health Department.
If accessing food, housing, or medical care is a challenge for you, please visit www.newtoncan.org for links to local resources. Ask your family and friends to join you on the journey of heart health. Don’t wait; sometimes the first “symptom” of heart disease is a heart attack or stroke. Get to the heart of the matter, and do what is within your control to take care of your heart!
1https://www.heart.org/en/news/2022/02/01/a-joyous-birth-followed-by-heart-failure
4https://www.heart.org/en/about-us/heart-attack-and-stroke-symptoms
5https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/heart-healthy-living
7https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/high-blood-pressure
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