Be smart about your heart: Control the ABCS of Diabetes

It is estimated that 87,232 Mainers have diabetes and an additional 32,264 have it but do not know they have it.  If left undiagnosed and untreated diabetes can lead to serious health problems like heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, amputation, or death.

November is National Diabetes Month.  This year's theme highlights the critical link between diabetes and heart disease.  Adults with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to be hospitalized for a heart attack or die of heart disease and are 1.5 times more likely to be hospitalized for a stroke than adults without diabetes.

Control the ABCS of Diabetes:

• A1c Blood Glucose Level
  • An A1c test shows what your blood glucose (blood sugar) level has been for the last 3 months
  • High blood glucose levels can harm your heart, blood vessels, kidneys, eyes, and feet
• Blood Pressure
  • High blood pressure makes your heart work too hard
  • It can cause heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease
• Cholesterol
  • Bad cholesterol (LDL) can build up and clog your blood vessels
  • Can cause a heart attack or stroke
• Smoking
  • Stop smoking
  • Call the Maine Tobacco Helpline: 1-800-207-1230

Heart disease can be a serious health problem for people with diabetes.  Taking care of your diabetes means you have less chance of having a heart attack or stroke.  Here is what you can do:

• Eat well
• Be active
• Learn how to cope with stress
• Take your medicine
• Stop smoking
• Attend Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT).  Ask your doctor or visit the Maine Diabetes Prevention and Control Program website to find a DSMT in your area

The Maine CDC Diabetes Prevention and Control Program(DPCP) focuses on promoting excellence in diabetes care; increasing access to care; promoting and supporting diabetes self-management education; preventing and reducing diabetes risk factors; and eliminating disparities related to diabetes prevention and control.

For more information, Maine DPCP recommends: 

• National Diabetes Education Program
• National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) 

American Heart Month

Heart disease is the second leading cause of death in Maine and describes a variety of conditions that affect your heart and/or blood vessels including coronary artery disease, heart attack, and congestive heart failure.

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

• Know Your ABCS:
  • Do you take Aspirin?  If your healthcare provider has said you are at risk for a heart attack, ask them about taking aspirin.
  • Do you know your Blood Pressure?  A normal blood pressure level is below 120/80.  Talk with your healthcare provider to find out your blood pressure numbers and get in control.
  • Do you know your Cholesterol Level?  A normal cholesterol level is below 200.  Talk with your healthcare provider to find out your cholesterol number and get in control.
  • Do you Smoke?  If you do, get help to quit. Smoking can raise your chances of having a heart attack or stroke.  To help you quit call the Maine Tobacco Help Line at 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 trans fat
• Take medication as prescribed by your doctor

Million Hearts Initiative

Million Hearts® is a national effort to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017. Million Hearts® brings together communities, health systems, nonprofit organizations, federal agencies, and private-sector partners from across the country to fight heart disease and stroke. 

To learn more about the initiative or to make the commitment visit: www.millionhearts.hhs.gov.

For more information about heart disease visit: http://mainehearthealth.org/.

Stroke Awareness Month

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel leading to the brain (or in the brain) is blocked by a clot, or bursts. When this happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, and it starts to die.

Stroke is a leading cause of death, premature mortality, and serious, long-term disability in Maine and the U.S. It is the fourth leading cause of death in Maine and the U.S.

On average, there was one stroke death every 14 hours in Maine in 2009.  Additionally, Maine had the 35th highest stroke death rate among all 50 states and D.C., but among all New England states, Maine had the highest stroke death rate. (The Burden of Cardiovascular Disease in Maine 2012- www.mainehearthealth.org)

It is important for you to know the symptoms of stroke 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 Loss.

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
• Ask your doctor if you should take 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       
• Be physically active at least 30 minutes on most days
• Eat more fruits, vegetables and other foods low in sodium and trans fat
• Take medicine as prescribed by your doctor

For more information:

• American Stroke Association: http://www.strokeassociation.org/
• Maine CDC Cardiovascular Health Program Website at www.mainehearthealth.org; or contact Tina Love, CVH Specialist, at tlove@mcdph.org

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

National High Blood Pressure Education Month

May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month.  About 1 in 3 Mainers is diagnosed with high blood pressure, which is also called hypertension.  High blood pressure usually has no symptoms but it can cause serious problems such as stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and blindness.  Since there are usually no symptoms, many people have high blood pressure and do not know it.

You are more likely to have high blood pressure if you…

·         Are over 55 years old

·         Have a family history of high blood pressure

·         Are overweight

·         Eat foods high in salt/sodium

·         Do not exercise regularly

·         Smoke

·         Drink alcohol regularly

You can prevent and control high blood pressure

·         Get your blood pressure checked at least every year and encourage friends and family to do the same

·         If you have medicine for high blood pressure, use it as directed

·         Talk with your doctor to learn more about your blood pressure and staying healthy

·         If you have any of the risks mentioned above, make changes to reduce the risks you can

o        Stop smoking: Get free help to quit at the Maine Tobacco Helpline 1-800-207-1230

o        Limit your intake of sodium (salt)

o        Maintain a healthy weight: Eat healthy, limit portion sizes, eat more fruits and vegetables, and be physically active

o        Be physically active: Try to get at least 30 minutes of activity every day.
Find a walking route near you at http://www.healthymainewalks.org/

Remember anyone can develop high blood pressure and there usually are no symptoms.  Get your blood pressure checked regularly and do what you can to live a healthy life.

For more information visit the Maine CDC Cardiovascular Health Program Website http://www.mainehearthealth.org/ or contact David Pied, Public Health Educator at david.pied@maine.gov

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

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/

Sodium

 

According to a study released in 2010 by Stanford University, less than a 10 percent reduction in sodium in a person’s diet could help many Americans avoid heart attacks and fatal strokes.

This April, Maine CDC’s Cardiovascular Health Program began a campaign to raise awareness of foods that are high in sodium and the importance of monitoring how much to reduce sodium consumption.

According to a study done by US CDC, the average American adult eats about 3,300 milligrams of sodium each day. That is at least 1,000 milligrams more than people should be eating. Most sodium is found in packaged, processed and restaurant foods.

The foods that are the biggest sources of sodium may be surprising. According to US CDC, bread and rolls are the top sources of sodium in the American diet, followed by cold cuts, pizza, poultry, and soups. 

More information on sodium and how to reduce the risks of heart attack and stroke is available at http://www.mainehearthealth.org/