Heart Month awareness: You may not realize your risk
Heart disease has been the number 1 killer in America for a century. Nearly half of all people have some type of cardiovascular disease, yet 38% don’t even realize they have it, according to the American Heart Association.
That makes American Heart Month each February an important time of awareness. Not just to wear red, but to think about your own heart health and prevention.
Prevention begins at your yearly checkup with your primary care provider. At this appointment, your provider will note important measures that can indicate possible cardiovascular disease or higher risk, including blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol level and a listen of your heartbeat and breathing.
Your provider should be informed of any symptoms you have, even if they come and go, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, extreme fatigue or swelling in the legs and feet. It’s also a great time to discuss weight, diet, exercise and family history, which can also indicate possible risk.
If you have ongoing high blood pressure that’s documented on multiple occasions and not just once when you’re hurried, upset or nervous, your primary care provider will recommend lifestyle changes including diet and exercise, and possibly medication. Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a major risk factor for a future event like a heart attack or stroke, because the constant higher pressure of blood pumping through the body can weaken or damage the heart and vessels.
High blood sugar can also damage vessels and nerves, so your primary care provider will want to monitor you for possible prediabetes and diabetes.
In addition, higher than normal readings in your blood cholesterol count is a risk factor that requires monitoring. Possible treatment options depend on your numbers and risk factors.
When risk factors add up, including age, it may signal a need for further testing.
Heart and vascular screenings are an option that people can add to their screening regimen. At Avera, this is known as Planet Heart offered at 26 locations.
The combined screening includes blood tests for glucose and cholesterol, blood pressure, CT calcium scoring and vascular ultrasounds. A high CT calcium score which detects calcium deposits in coronary arteries can assess risk for cardiovascular disease. An important aspect of the screening is discussion with the nurse about risk factors.
The American College of Cardiologists recommends heart and vascular screenings for men beginning at age 40 and women beginning at age 45. Frequency depends on risk factors, but for most people, the recommendation is every five to 10 years.
Screenings and tests that may indicate risk are like a warning light that appears on your dashboard. Some are an easy fix, while there are those rare situations where intervention is needed to save a life. You’ll experience the greatest peace of mind when you stay on top of recommended screenings for your overall health and well-being.
It all starts with awareness and following the guidance of your primary care physician or provider – who knows you best.
— Debbie Streier is the regional president/CEO at Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center