Healthy heart awareness at Antelope Memorial Hospital

"Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States, resulting in approximately 697,000 deaths each year,"according to the

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is important to know an individual may reduce risks by addressing the "controllable" risk factors. They include targeting comorbidity conditions, avoiding tobacco use, maintaining a healthy body weight, exercising routinely and controlling stress.

High blood pressure, considered the "silent killer," is controllable by diet, exercise, stress management and/or medication. It's easy ‒ and important to have it checked on a regular basis. Maintaining a normal blood pressure helps decrease the risk for heart disease and stroke.

For individuals who smoke ‒ take steps to stop. Smoking damages the lining of arteries, decreases exercise tolerance and increases blood pressure and the tendency for blood clots. Plus, it greatly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke when smoking is combined with other risk factors. See a health care provider if medication is needed to help stop smoking.

High cholesterol levels may result in the development of fatty deposits in blood vessels. This reduces the flow of blood through the arteries and increases the risk of heart disease. High cholesterol levels can be reduced with a healthy diet, regular exercise and medication if needed.

Excess weight and obesity are known to increase the risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar and heart disease.

"A weight loss program, reimbursable by Medicare, and an exercise center are both available at Antelope Memorial Hospital for supporting your weight loss goal and a healthier lifestyle," said Niewohner.

For individuals who have suffered a heart disease event, the AMH Cardiac Rehab Center provides cardiac patients monitored exercise, education and moral support for building cardiac conditioning. Its exercise program gradually increases the workload on the heart and lungs and improves cardiac conditioning over time. AMH also has a certified diabetes education program to help individuals manage their diabetes more effectively ‒ reducing their risk for heart disease and stroke.

Health care providers also advise that parents model a healthy lifestyle for children. As children have increased screen time, the rate of obesity and its sequalae in children continues to rise at an alarming rate. Habits formed in the early years often last a lifetime.