Every February is American Heart Month, raising awareness about preventing heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Approximately 90 percent of middle-aged people and more than 74 percent of young adults have one or more risk factors for heart disease. These risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol or being a smoker or overweight. For those individuals with multiple risk factors, they have an increased risk for heart disease. All these risk factors can be prevented in most cases by following a healthy lifestyle of increased physical activity, eating a nutritious diet, maintaining a healthy weight, keeping track of blood pressure, cholesterol and sugars, getting enough quality sleep, reducing stress and quitting smoking.
These changes in your lifestyle do not need to happen all at once and you do not have to do it alone. This year, the theme for American Heart Month is geared towards partnering with others to adopt healthy lifestyles as research shows we are more successful meeting health goals when we have the support of others. Ask a family member, friend, co-worker—even someone you have been meaning to get to know better.
Many resources are available to help you get started. Contact your medical provider team, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute website at nhlbi.nih.gov or our office.
Show your support of preventing heart disease by wearing red on Friday, February 7 which is National Wear Red Day
This information was compiled from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. To learn more, contact Janell at the Chouteau County Extension Office at 622-3036, janellb@montana.edu or in the green building next to the Chouteau County Courthouse at 1308 Franklin St in Fort Benton.
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Montana State University, US Department of Agriculture and Montana Counties Cooperating. MSU Extension is an equal opportunity/affirmative action provider of educational outreach.
