FEBRUARY IS NATIONAL HEART MONTH

The most common type of heart disease is CAD (coronary artery disease), which can lead to a heart attack. You are at higher risk of heart disease if you are a woman age 55 or older, a man age 45 or older or a person with a family history of early heart disease.

Reduce Your Risk of CAD:

• Watch your weight
• Quit smoking / avoid secondhand smoke
• Control your cholesterol & blood pressure
• If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation
• Stay active & eat healthy
• Manage your stress

Warning Signs of a Heart Attack:

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Pain or discomfort in the upper body, arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea, lightheadedness or cold sweats

A person's chance of surviving a heart attack increases if emergency treatment is administered as soon as possible. If you recognize symptoms of a heart attack, dial 911 immediately.

Smoking Tobacco increases your risk of cardiovascular disease. The Surgeon General refers to smoking as "the leading preventable cause of disease and deaths in the United States". Smoking increases blood pressure, decreases exercise tolerance and increases the tendency for blood to clot. Take the first step in quitting with the Quit for Life tobacco cessation program.

High Blood Pressure Redefined
In November of 2017, the guidelines for high blood pressure were redefined for the first time in 14 years. High blood pressure is now defined as readings of 130 and higher for systolic and 80 and higher for diastolic measurement (previously 140/90 and higher). The category of “pre-hypertension” was eliminated. By lowering the definition of high blood pressure, the guidelines recommend earlier intervention to prevent complications.

Test Your Knowledge on Heart Disease with this quick Quiz.

Information provided by the CDC, American Heart Association, American Red Cross, and WebMD.