by JCC
Association and Club One
Earlier this month, JCC Banter Blog guest writer Jessica
Blackport told us about National Heart Month, celebrated each February to
raise awareness of heart health.
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of both women and men in
the United States, so it’s important to know how to fight it.
The cardiovascular system consists of your heart and all the
blood vessels in your body. The heart pumps blood through arteries to deliver
oxygen. The veins carry blood back to the heart to deliver waste products (e.g.,
carbon dioxide).
Arteries can be damaged by smoking, high blood pressure and
diabetes. Fatty materials and other substances are sent to the damaged area (a response
to healing). When left unchecked, damage continues to occur, causing the
arteries to narrow and leading to a heart attack or stroke.
Understanding your level of personal risk level is crucial.
Learn these best practices to help avoid a cardiovascular event.
Know your numbers: Make sure you know your weight, blood
pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol numbers and your correlating level of
risk.
Don’t smoke or use tobacco products: If you only do one thing, stop
smoking. If you don’t smoke, don’t
start, but do start moving.
Be active: How much activity do you get each
week? Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week. It will help you
manage your weight, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol.
Know your family history: Research your family history to
determine your genetic risks. Knowing your inherited risk could save your life.
Get checked regularly: Get an annual checkup that consists
of measuring at least your weight and waist circumference, blood pressure,
cholesterol and fasting glucose. Discuss your results and, if necessary, a plan
of action with your doctor.
No comments:
Post a Comment