Heart Health Awareness

Even though Valentine’s Day is already behind us, there’s still plenty of room for love. Our hearts beat between 60-100 times per minute, pumping oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood throughout the body. Once the oxygen and nutrients are delivered, the blood returns to the heart, and the cycle starts all over again.

The heart is a muscle. It needs care and attention to remain healthy so it can do its job effectively. Sometimes the heart is affected by factors we can’t control, like family history, age, and gender. It can also be affected by things we can control. These are called risk factors and can lead to heart disease by making the following choices:

• lack of exercise

• unhealthy eating

• excessive smoking

• excessive alcohol use

• uncontrolled diabetes

• being overweight or obese

• high blood pressure,

• unhealthy cholesterol levels

Did you know that heart disease is the number one cause of death across the country? It’s also the number one cause of death among Native Americans. For many people, heart disease affects the heart silently. Many don’t know they have it until they experience heart problems.

To keep your heart healthy and lower your risk for heart disease, make choices to love your heart by:

• getting regular physical activity

• increasing fiber intake by eating fruits and vegetables

• keeping tobacco sacred

• using alcohol in moderation

• managing diabetes

• maintaining a healthy weight, normal blood pressure, and healthy cholesterol levels

To find out if you’re at risk for heart disease, contact Jemez Comprehensive Health Center at (575) 834-7413, and make an appointment to see your primary care provider. Support is also available through programs offered through Jemez Public Health by calling (575) 834-7207.