Do you know what the number one killer in the United States is? It is heart disease. Someone in our country has a heart attack every 40 seconds (American Heart Association News, 2020). It is easy for your patients to think that it won't happen to them or that they are too young to consider the possibility of heart disease. As you all know, the reality is that it can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any age. In honor of American Heart Month, we want to share some important information on preventing and identifying heart disease, for you to pass on to your patients. We also have some intriguing infographics for you to share!
There are some pretty simple things that your clients can do to prevent heart disease, according to The American College of Cardiology Foundation and the American Heart Association, Inc.;
Eat a healthy diet full of vegetables, fruits, nuts, lean meats, whole grains, fish, and try and stay away from trans fats, red meat, processed foods, refined carbohydrates, and sugar-filled drinks
Maintain a healthy weight and BMI
Adults should participate in at least 75 minutes of high-intensity exercise per week, and at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week
Appropriately treat Diabetes type 2
Quit using nicotine products
Follow your prescription routine that your healthcare provider and healthcare team have set for you
Use team-based approaches when planning your prevention strategies and treatment plans. This will encourage everyone to take into account your social and environmental impacts on your heart health
When you turn 40, get a 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk estimation
The American Heart Association and The American Stroke Association have created the following infographics that are easy-to-read, visually appealing, and informative. Feel free to share their infographics with all of your clients! Click on each infographic to take you to the article regarding that topic.
(American Heart Association News, 2020)
(American Heart Association News, 2020)
(American Stroke Association, 2019)
(American Stroke Association, 2019)
References
American Heart Association News. (2020, January 21). Get familiar with signs of a heart attack or stroke. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/news/2020/01/21/get- familiar-with-signs-of-a-heart-attack-or-stroke
American Heart Association News. (2019, March 17). New guidelines: Healthy lifestyle, managing risks are key to preventing heart attack, stroke. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/news/2019/03/17/new-guidelines-healthy-lifestyle- managing-risks-are-key-to-preventing-heart-attack-stroke
American Stroke Association. (2019). 5 Fast Facts about Stroke. Retrieved from https://www.stroke.org/en/about-the-american-stroke-association/american- stroke-month/5-fast-facts-about-stroke-infographic
American Stroke Association. (2019). F.A.S.T. Is How We Come Together to End Stroke.
Retrieved from https://www.stroke.org/en/about-the-american- strokeassociation/american-stroke-month/community-resources-english/2019- fast-infographic
Arnett, PhD, MSPH, FAHA, D. K., Blumenthal, MD, FACC, FAHA, R. S., Albert, MD, MPH, FAHA, M. A., Buroker, Esq†, A. B., Goldberger, MD, MS, FACC, FAHA, Z. D., Hahn, PhD, RN, E. J., … Ziaeian, MD, PhD, FACC, FAHA, B. (2019). 2019 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation, 140(11), 1–51. doi: 10.1161/cir.0000000000000755