The Curry County Wellness Council’s 12 Months of Wellness Campaign names February as Healthy Heart Month. In conjunction with the Curry County Wellness council, Plains Regional Medical Group embraces the opportunity to raise awareness of heart disease to Clovis and the surrounding communities.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in the United States (US). Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. The AHA says that Americans’ best defense against CHD is a heart healthy lifestyle. Dr. Pawan Kumar M.D., an endocrinologist at Plains Regional Medical Group in Clovis, agrees lifestyle choices are essential to decreasing the risk for coronary heart disease. Although there is no such thing as a zero risk, adopting heart healthy choices in daily lifestyle can reduce Americans’ risk for heart disease.
Dr. Kumar recognizes the need for a lifelong commitment to a heart healthy lifestyle should begin with an appointment with your doctor to assess your risk for heart disease. Starting as early as your 30s, it is important to have an assessment of your risk factors. Importance of assessment and evaluation of risk factors continue across an individual’s life span. Make heart health a regular topic with your doctor. Risk factors for coronary heart disease include a family history of disease, unhealthy cholesterol levels, uncontrolled blood pressure, overweight and obesity, elevated blood sugars, uncontrolled diabetes, smoking and lack of exercise. Dr. Kumar reports uncontrolled diabetes significantly increases a persons risk for heart disease and stroke. AHA reports “people with diabetes are two to four more times likely to develop cardiovascular disease due to a variety of risk factors.”
Plan your day to include heart healthy choices. “Exercise is vital in preventing heart disease” says Dr. Kumar. Make a weekly goal to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day for 5 days. Adding two sessions of strength training a week will further increase your fitness level. A healthy diet will assist with weight loss and help decrease other risks. Eat plenty of vegetables and whole grains, and eat plenty of fruits (if you are not diabetic). Discuss appropriate tailoring of diet with your physician. Dairy choices include nonfat or low-fat dairy products, and meat choices are lean cuts. Limiting and choosing fats wisely is also important. Exchange saturated fat and trans fat for monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. “Choosing olive oil and canola oil is best, peanut oil is next and avoid use of corn, palm and hard (lard) oil” suggests Dr. Kumar. AHA reports exercising and losing weight can prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes, reduce blood pressure and help reduce the risk for heart attack and stroke. Share your heart healthy lifestyle with your friends and family to assist with the fight against heart disease and improve the health and lives of Americans.
