February is American Heart Month. It calls attention to a need we should all be familiar with: paying attention to your own health and those of loved ones.
We have all been told of risk factors when it comes to heart health. Like lifestyle, age and genetic predisposition, i.e. family history.
According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, about half of all Americans have at least one of the three key risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking.
Some risk factors for heart disease cannot be controlled, such as your age or family history. But you can take steps to lower your risk by changing the factors you can control. No-brainers for sure such as not smoking and eating too much, especially unhealthy foods. And get into an exercise routine of any kind. For instance: a simple 30-minute walk at any pace on a regular basis is a proven good health tool.
The American Heart Association stresses that heart disease is the number one killer in our nation. Death by stroke ranks fifth.
The CDC and American Heart Association are outstanding resource platforms for gaining insight into heart health. Many related programs are available. Just google, respectively, cdc.gov and/or www.heart.org
Locally, our health districts and hospitals have an abundance of free programs and guidance available. Utilize them. For instance, today the East Liverpool City Health District, East Liverpool Hospital and East Liverpool Fire Dept. are conducting “For a Healthy Heart Fair” from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the EL Community and Learning Center. Free and open to the public.
Through self-application and discipline, many of the factors involving healthy heart maintenance can be controlled. Most of us can and should do better when it comes to better health. Don’t skip a beat. Do it for yourself. Do it for your children. Do it for your grandkids.
