While February is best known for
Valentine’s Day, did you know that it is also American Heart Month? This
February, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service recommends giving your heart
love, too, by being aware of heart problems and the steps you can take to
prevent them.
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is the
leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for 610,000 deaths each
year, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The root cause of
heart disease is plaque formation and buildup that occurs when coronary
arteries become clogged by cholesterol, fatty deposits, and calcium. Buildup
causes arteries to become narrow, making it difficult for oxygen and blood to
flow through the body and to the organs.
Anyone is at risk for developing heart
disease. However, people who have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and
smoke cigarettes are at higher risk. According to the CDC, about 47% of
Americans have at least one of these risk factors. Additional factors that
contribute to the progression of the disease include:
•
Diabetes
•
Being overweight
or obese
•
Poor diet
•
Physical
inactivity
•
Excessive alcohol
use
•
Having a family
history of heart disease
•
Age, especially
in women 55 and older
Dr. Sumathi Venkatesh, Extension Program
Specialist with Healthy South Texas, recommends taking preventative measures by
becoming aware of risk factors and consulting with a doctor on a regular basis.
Developing a treatment plan with a physician can help stabilize blood pressure,
blood sugar, and blood cholesterol levels. Other preventative measures include:
•
Eating a healthy
diet that includes fruits and vegetables
•
Being physically
active
•
Stopping the use
of cigarettes
•
Limiting alcohol
intake
•
Reducing sodium
intake
When it comes to pursuing a healthy
lifestyle, try incorporating heart healthy foods into your diet such as green,
leafy vegetables, avocadoes, whole grains, and seeds. Add these ingredients
into meals like Quinoa Cakes, a Fresh Berry Caprese Salad, or an Avocado
Mandarin Salad by using recipes from AgriLife Extension’s Dinner Tonight. To
find more recipes, visit dinnertonight.tamu.edu.
As always, if you have questions,
concerns, or just want to chat, please feel free to call (903) 455-9885, email
Sarah.Latham@ag.tamu.edu, or come by the Hunt County Extension office, 2217
Washington Street, Greenville, Texas, 75401. You can also read more about this
and many more topics on my blog,
http://agentsarah.blogspot.com/
References:
Centers for Disease Control. (2019).
https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/facts.htm
