Heart Health
Heart disease includes a number of heart conditions and is the Number 1 killer of Americans. Several of those heart conditions are listed below:
- Arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms),
- Coronary heart disease – the build-up of plaque in the coronary arteries which may lead to a heart attack, heart failure,
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) and
- Strokes.
Both men and women are affected by heart disease. For more specific information on gender and race, click on the CDC links below.
Prevention
Did you know that up to 80% of heart disease is preventable and there are many actions people may take to reduce their risk?
Take a look at this PSA from Million Hearts® to see a few ideas.
Choosing to live a heathy lifestyle will not only reduce your risk of heart disease and other chronic conditions, but will also help you manage your heart disease if diagnosed.
Ways you can reduce the risk of heart disease
- Choose Healthy Food and Drinks
Choose foods that are high in fiber, avoid foods that are high in fat and trans fat, reduce salt intake and limit alcohol consumption. - Maintain a Healthy Weight
People who are overweight are more at risk for heart disease the extra pounds burden the heart and blood vessels. - Participate in Regular Physical Activity
Physical activity helps you maintain your weight and lowers blood pressure, blood cholesterol and blood sugar. - Stop smoking
Smoking causes an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. It also damages blood vessels, reduces the amount of blood that reaches the body’s tissues and increases the risk of clots.
Million Hearts® is another important resource to use to learn more about cardiovascular disease prevention. Million Hearts® is a national organization that is co-led by the CDC and Medicare and Medicaid Services. Their vision is to prevent one million cardiovascular (CVD) events between January 2022 – December 2026.
Treatment
Treatment for heart disease may include activity, diet and a variety of medications. It is important to work with your primary care provider and/or cardiologist to determine the best treatment for you.
Activity
Physical activity is important for all ages and helps improve overall health. Check out this link to learn about types of activities, benefits of activity and how much activity by age group.
Diet
It is important to maintain a healthy weight to avoid the risk of chronic conditions and complications. Check out this website to learn more about selecting foods, planning meals and maintaining a healthy weight.
Medications
There are many medications used to manage heart disease and it is critical be take the medication as prescribed. You will find a list of medications on this website which also includes what the medication does and why it was prescribed.
Hypertension
Hypertension is one type of heart disease and it is estimated that nearly half of Americans or 1 in 2 adults have hypertension, yet only 1 in 4 adults has it under control. Here in Windsor, CT, a recent study indicated that 77.5% of those 60yo had hypertension which was a bit higher than the estimate of 76.2% for the entire state of Connecticut.
For more information about Hypertension and its complications, click the link below. You will also find strategies to choose to live a heart-healthy lifestyle.
There are 6 recorded Hypertension Workshops on the Town of Windsor Health Department webpage which include the following topics:
Click on a title to view the video
Blood Pressure Classifications and Important of Blood Pressure Control
Atique Mirza MD
Self-Measurement of Blood Pressure
Paula Raines LPN
Lifestyle Modifications
Michelle Mattia RDN
High Blood Pressure and Pharmacology
Kristen Marti PharmD
Adherence to High Blood Pressure Therapy
Atique Mirza MD
Hypertension Emergencies and Urgencies
Atique Mirza MD
These workshops were presented and recorded with financial support of CT DPH Preventative Health and Humans Services Block Grant.
Sources:
American Heart Association – https://www.heart.org/
CDC – Heart Disease – https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/index.htm
CT Health Aging Data Report Research – Tufts Health Plan Foundation
Million Hearts® – https://millionhearts.hhs.gov/