By Beth A. McDaniel, JD, CELA

 

February is American Heart Month, providing a good opportunity to better understand the risk factors for heart disease and how to live a more heart-healthy lifestyle. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular disease is the world’s number one cause of death. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is the leading cause of death in the United States for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups.

 

Symptoms of Heart Disease: Common symptoms of heart disease include shortness of breath; chest pain; pain that radiates in the back, neck, and shoulders; irregular heartbeat; heart palpitations; fatigue; dizziness or confusion; nausea; and sweating. Additional symptoms for heart failure include a cough producing white or pink phlegm; swelling of the abdomen and ankles; rapid weight gain; and frequent urination.

 

Note: If symptoms come on suddenly, medical treatment should be sought immediately in an ER – not a doctor’s office or urgent care clinic. Rapid-onset symptoms may include sudden, extreme weakness and shortness of breath;, radiating pain through the left arm, back, and neck; nausea, vomiting, and lightheadedness; fast, irregular heartbeats; chest pain; or chest discomfort. Source: entirelyhealth.com.

 

Heart Disease Prevention Now for good news. According to the NIH’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute there are some actions that you can take to reduce your risk for heart disease, even if you have a family history or genetic predisposition. Here are some good ways to reduce your risk for heart disease:

 

• Engage in daily physical activity, like a 30-minute brisk walk
• Cook and consume meals that are low in sodium and unhealthy fats
• Take prescribed medications and keep medical appointments
• Sleep for 7-8 hours per night
• Regularly engage in stress reducing activities like knitting, yoga, a bath, reading a good book, or watching puppy or kitten videos – whatever is your cup of tea
• Embrace technology by using a wearable device that can measure your sleep, heart rate, and steps
• Engage in positive, close personal relationships

 

To learn more, consult your physician or visit CDC.gov/heartdisease/facts. Also, don’t forget to wear red on National Wear Red Day

 

If have questions or wish to make an appointment, please contact our client care coordinator, Margo Passeau, at (425) 296-3121.

 

First Published: February 2023