Notice: Undefined index: has_more_content in /home/sites/qa.cmhospital.com/htdocs/index.php on line 140
Notice: Undefined index: more_page_content in /home/sites/qa.cmhospital.com/htdocs/index.php on line 141
Notice: Undefined variable: include_job_form in /home/sites/qa.cmhospital.com/htdocs/index.php on line 150
Give Your Heart A Little Love – American Heart Month
It can happen at any age. In fact, heart disease—and the conditions that lead to it—are starting to occur in younger adults more frequently. Since we already have sweethearts on our minds, it’s the perfect time to discuss risks and ways to prevent cardiovascular disease.
What is cardiovascular disease?
The term “cardiovascular disease” refers to multiple conditions including heart disease, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, arrythmia, and heart valve problems. Most of these issues are related to a blockage preventing blood or oxygen from adequately traveling to important areas of the body.
What conditions put me at risk for heart disease?
Several conditions put people at risk for heart disease to include:
- High Blood Pressure - Uncontrolled high blood pressure is one the biggest risks for heart disease and other harmful conditions.
- High Cholesterol - Diabetes, obesity, smoking, unhealthy diet, and little physical activity can increase cholesterol levels, which can lead to elevated risk.
- Smoking - 37 million U.S. adults smoke. Chemicals found in cigarettes can damage blood vessels and cause heart disease.
- Obesity - Extra weight puts extra stress on the body—including your heart!
- Diabetes - Sugar build up in the body can lead to damaged blood vessels and nerves that control the heart muscle.
- Physical Inactivity - Staying active helps keep the heart and blood vessels healthy.
- Unhealthy Eating - Increased sodium intake can increase blood pressure. Keep trans-fat, saturated fat, and added sugars to a minimum to reduce your risk.
How can I take control of my heart health?
It’s up to you to maintain a healthy body. The CDC provides great tips on starting your heart health journey at any age:
- Don’t smoke. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. If you do smoke, learn about your resources to quit here.
- Manage Conditions. Trust your health care provider to manage conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol through regular visits.
- Eat well. Choose foods low in trans-fat, saturated fat, added sodium and sugar.
- Get moving. Schedule in 150 minutes of exercise per week—that’s just 30 minutes each day!
Where can I find out more information about cardiac care services at Culbertson?
Culbertson Memorial Hospital partners with Prairie Heart Institute to bring highly trained specialists to our patients and in addition we offer cardiac stress tests, echocardiograms, and cardiac rehab!