The McDonough County Health Department (MCHD) observes February as National Heart Month, a time when all people can focus on their heart health. Heart disease is a leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. There are many ways that you can protect your heart and stay healthy.
Heart-healthy living involves understanding your risk, making healthy choices, and taking steps to reduce your chances of getting heart disease.
• Understand your risk. Common risk factors for heart disease are having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, being overweight, having diabetes or prediabetes, smoking, not getting regular physical activity, a family history of heart disease or are a woman over 55 or a man over 45. Each risk factor increases your chance of developing heart disease.
• Get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked. If either of these numbers are high, work with your primary healthcare provider to get it to a healthy range. During the month of February MCHD is offering a discounted lipid panel (cholesterol levels) for just $50. Call (309) 837-9951 ext. 2270 to schedule an appointment.
• Choose heart-healthy foods. Limit sodium, saturated fats, added sugars and alcohol. Vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free and protein rich foods are the foundation of a heart-healthy eating plan.
• Get regular physical activity. Regular physical activity can help you lose weight, improve physical fitness, lower many heart disease risk factors, lower stress, and lower risk for other conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, depression, and cancer. Consult with your healthcare provider about starting a new exercise plan.
• Manage stress levels. Research suggests that stress can contribute to high blood pressure and other heart disease risk factors. Consider stress reducing activities such as talking to someone, participating in a stress management program, meditating, being physically active and using relaxation techniques.
• Quit smoking. Smoking raises other heart risk factors, your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and cancer. Talk to your doctor or reach out to the Illinois Tobacco Quitline at 866-QUIT-YES for tobacco cessation counseling and nicotine replacement therapy.
The McDonough County Health Department urges residents to take the right steps to get their heart healthy.
