Cardiovascular disease awareness, prevention

February is here.

Gradually, the days have become longer and the weather warmer. The new year is in full swing, full of hope and promise for blessings and prosperity. With that in mind, it is also good to remember that February is Heart Health Month.

Heart disease — also called cardiovascular disease — is a simple term used to describe several problems related to plaque buildup in the walls of the arteries — also called atherosclerosis.

As the plaque builds up, the arteries narrow, making it more difficult for blood to flow. This creates a risk for heart attack and stroke/transient ischemic attack.

A heart attack occurs when the blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked — usually by a blood clot. If the clot cuts off the blood flow completely, the part of the heart muscle supplied by that artery begins to die. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain gets clogged or bursts, permanently cutting off blood supply to the brain. A transient ischemic attack occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain gets clogged for a short period of time, momentarily cutting off blood supply to the brain.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that heart disease accounts for nearly 50 percent of all deaths among blacks nationally. The California Department of Public Health ranks heart disease as the leading cause of death for blacks throughout the state and in Solano County. Of particular concern is that more black women nationally and locally die of cardiovascular disease than from all forms of cancer.

Following these simple tips can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as heart attack and stroke:

Make healthy food choices

• Eat less fat. Watch those fried foods and fatty cuts of meat.
• Eat a variety of brightly colored, vitamin and mineral rich fruits and vegetables, such as apples, oranges, broccoli and cabbage.
• Use less salt in cooking and less salt added to foods. Put away that salt shaker and use spices such as pepper and garlic instead.
• Take a look at healthy meal recipes on the web. The American Heart Association has simple healthy recipes at:

http://ww.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/Recipes/Recipes_UCM_001184_SubHomePage.jsp

Be physically active

• Start slowly and gradually increase your physical activity.
• Be physically active at least 30 minutes per day.
• Remember that physical activity takes place in a variety of forms, including walking, bike riding, gardening, yard work and house cleaning

Being mindful of the following will reduce the risk of disability or death should a heart attack or stroke/transient ischemic attack occur:

• Know the warning signs of a heart attack. These include: uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of your chest. It can last more than a few minutes or go away and come back. Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach. Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort

If you have any of these signs, go to the hospital immediately.

• Know the warning signs of a stroke/transient ischemic attack. These include: sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

If you have any of these signs, go to the hospital immediately.

Corinne L. Quinn, MSPH, CHES, HC#385 is the Coordinator of the African-American Health Disparities Project, an initiative of Solano Coalition for Better Health. 

Short URL: http://www.dailyrepublic.com/?p=132057

Posted by Corinne L. Quinn on Feb 5 2012.

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