National Cholesterol Month

September is a good time to get your cholesterol checked and take steps to get it under control.

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a type of fat found in blood and is found in foods we eat including eggs, meats, fish and whole-fat dairy products. Foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains contain none. Our body also makes cholesterol.  Risk factors that can lead to high cholesterol include being overweight/obese, poor eating habits, family history, age or gender.

Know your numbers:

U.S. CDC recommends that adults age 20 or older have their cholesterol checked every five years.  This can be done with a simple blood test.

Reduce your risk:

By living a healthy lifestyle, you can help keep your cholesterol in a healthy range and lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.  A healthy lifestyle includes:

• Eating a healthy diet. Avoid saturated fats and trans fats. Polyunsaturated fats can actually lower cholesterol levels. Eating fiber also can help lower cholesterol.
• Exercising regularly. The Surgeon General recommends that adults engage in moderate-intensity exercise for two hours and 30 minutes every week.
• Maintaining a healthy weight. 
• Not smoking. If you smoke, quit as soon as possible.

For more information on cholesterol:

• http://tinyurl.com/HeartOrg-AboutCholesterol
• http://tinyurl.com/CholesterolToolsandResources            

American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month. Most of us know someone who has had a heart attack or stroke. In Maine, more than 1 of every 4 deaths is from heart disease or stroke.

 

You can help protect yourself and your loved ones from heart disease and stroke by understanding the risks and taking these steps

• Know your ABCS
• Ask your doctor if you should take an Aspirin every day
• Find out if you have high Blood pressure or Cholesterol, if you do, work with your doctor to treat it
• If you Smoke, get help to quit ~ Maine Tobacco Helpline 1-800-207-1230
• Be physically active at least 30 minutes on most days
• Eat more fruits, vegetables and other foods low in sodium and transfat
• Take medicine as prescribed by your doctor

What else can you do?

 

Heart Month is a great time to learn about the Million Hearts Campaign.

 

Million Hearts is a national campaign with the goal of preventing 1 million heart attacks and strokes over five years.

For more about heart disease and stroke visit http://www.mainehearthealth.org/

Stroke Awareness Month (2012)

May is National Stroke Awareness Month.  Nearly 75% of strokes occur in people who are 65 years and older.  It is important for you to know the symptoms so you can react quickly if someone has a stroke. 

Know the Symptoms, it could save a life
Early recognition of stroke symptoms is critical – time lost is brain lost.
Stroke symptoms include SUDDEN

·        Numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg

·        Slurred speech

·        Blurred vision

·        Dizziness or loss of balance

·        Severe headache

Rapid treatment by emergency medical providers is important to survival and recovery. 
At any sign of stroke: Call 911 immediately

Lower your risk of having a Stroke
You can help protect yourself and loved ones from stroke by knowing the risks and taking these steps

·         Know your ABCS

o        Ask your doctor if you should take Aspirin every day

o        Find out if you have high Blood Pressure or Cholesterol, if you do, work with your doctor to treat it

o        If you Smoke, get help to quit   

·         Be physically active at least 30 minutes on most days

·         Eat more fruits, vegetables and other foods low in sodium and transfat

·         Take medicine as prescribed by your doctor

For more information visit the Maine CDC Cardiovascular Health Program Website www.mainehearthealth.org or contact david.pied@maine.gov

Help us prevent one million heart attacks and strokes over five years http://millionhearts.hhs.gov/

What do you know about cardiovascular disease?

It’s American Heart Month and this month’s edition of US CDC’s Vital Signs focuses on cardiovascular disease and what we can do to increase control of high blood pressure and cholesterol -- reducing the number of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases.

Today is National Wear Red Day, established to raise awareness about heart disease in women. Heart disease is the number one killer of women. It can begin early, even in the teen years. A woman's risk for heart disease rises between the ages of 40 and 60. No matter how old you are, you can take steps to lower your risk for heart disease.

Cardiovascular disease claims the lives of more than 800,000 adults each year, 150,000 of whom are under the age of 65. Every 39 seconds, an adult dies from a cardiovascular disease such as a heart attack or stroke. Know what to ask your doctor if you have high blood pressure. Know the signs and symptoms of heart attack.

Managing your cholesterol is another way to help keep your heart healthy.

Check out My Life Check from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. For more information on cardiovascular health, visit http://www.mainehearthealth.org/