“Heart disease was once considered only a man’s problem,”
says Whitney Patterson, nurse practitioner at
Catawba Valley Cardiology. But according to the
American Medical Association (AMA), cardiovascular disease is also the #1 killer of women.
For a long time it was thought that women were not as susceptible to heart
disease as men. The initial results of an ongoing study, published in
the 50’s, showed men as more likely to have heart disease. But as
time progressed, it’s been found that women are also at risk; they
just develop diseases of the heart 10 to 15 years later than men.
“The
American Heart Association (AHA) estimates that 1 in 9 women ages 45 to 64 have some sort of heart disease
but the ratio jumps to 1 in 3 for women over 65. So it’s essential
that women and men adopt a heart healthy lifestyle and maintain it, as
they get older. This is especially true for those with a family history
of heart disease,” explains Whitney.
Whitney suggests these 4 New Year’s resolutions to jump start a healthy
lifestyle while reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease:
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Stop smoking – The AMA says smoking is responsible for 1 in 4 cases of cardiovascular
disease; if you smoke, stopping can be the most important thing you do
for your heart and blood vessels. For more information on CVMC’s
resources to help you quit smoking, contact Peggy Messick at the Health
First Center –
pmessick@catawbavalleymc.org or 828.326.2300 x6202
-
Control your weight – Obesity increases your risk of heart disease and stroke, even
if you have no other risk factors present. Maintaining a healthy weight
through a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet and regular exercise can reduce
your risk of heart disease.
-
Exercise – Regular aerobic activity plays a significant role in preventing
heart and blood vessel disease. You don’t have to spend hours every
day at the gym either. Even a 30 minute walk, three or four times a week,
can be beneficial. Check out
Fitness Plus, our medically-based fitness facility, online to see a comprehensive list
of dynamic wellness programs offered.
Get a heart screening: A heart screening includes checking your risk assessment,
blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), cholesterol levels, blood glucose,
and other heart disease indicators.
2016 is your year to become heart healthy. If you are at risk, think you
may be at risk or want to learn more about how to reduce your risk for
heart disease, consult your primary care provider or visit
Catawba Valley Cardiology online. With over 110+ years of combined experience, we are ready to serve
as your first line of defense in guarding your most valuable possession
of all: your HEART!
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