Alison Crane, Garland County Extension Service
February was declared Heart Health Month in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The hope was that, by raising awareness, lives would be saved. For 60 years there has been an emphasis on improving heart health and educating people on how to do it. In spite of these efforts, cardiovascular disease is still the number one killer of women.
One in every three women's deaths are caused by something that is preventable. Heart disease can affect women at any age, and anyone can develop heart problems, but you're at higher risk if you:
Have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes.
Smoke.
Are overweight or have obesity.
Don't get enough physical activity.
Don't eat a healthy diet.
Your risk is even higher if:
You're a woman over age 55.
Your father or brother had heart disease before age 55.
Your mother or sister had heart disease before age 65.
The simple act of pumping blood throughout our bodies makes our hearts responsible for removing toxins and waste and supplying essential nutrients and oxygen. Heart disease can mean that our hearts are not working efficiently. This can be from damage to the heart itself or blockage within the circulatory system. The good news is there's a lot you can do to prevent heart disease. Start with these tips:
Eat healthy.
Get active.
Stay at a healthy weight.
Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.
Control your cholesterol and blood pressure.
Drink alcohol only in moderation.
Manage stress.
The Garland County Extension Service provides education that can make it easier to follow these heart healthy tips. To learn more about how to apply these heart health tips in practical ways, visit 210 Woodbine St., Hot Springs, or call 501-623-6841.
Take a moment to do something beneficial for yourself by making plans to come Feb. 28, at 1 p.m. to the Garland County Library for the monthly Wonderful Wednesdays!
This month's topic is Creating and Using Affirmations (a great way to improve mental health and help yourself move forward in a positive way). This program is free and sponsored by the Cooperative Extension Service and the GCEHC.
A dietitian assesses health needs at a medical center.