Let’s talk ABOUT Heart health
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
It’s time to focus on improving cardiovascular health
This year in the United States, it will commemorate the 57th consecutive American Heart Month. It is a time when the nation spotlights heart disease, which is still the no. 1 killer of Americans. President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the 1st proclamation in 1964, and since then, presidents have annually declared February as American Heart Month. It is about raising awareness to help prevent heart disease in both women and men. The 1st Friday of the month is also National Go Red Day. Part of the American Heart Association (AHA), also is the Go Red for Women initiative. Since women usually experience heart attacks with different symptoms, it includes awareness and support for the fight against heart disease. This year, it will be on Feb. 3, 2023.
In most cases, heart disease is preventable, during the lockdown of the pandemic, many people became inactive and didn’t eat much healthy food, which contributed to an increase in heart disease across the country. Uncontrolled high blood pressure and cholesterol can contribute to heart disease and lead to heart attacks and strokes, which are both life-changing and not always reversible. Understanding risk factors for heart disease and how to live a heart-healthy lifestyle is part of practicing self-care for our hearts. It is our responsibility to do our part in protecting and guarding our hearts physically.
The heart is a major part of the body, which supplies life-giving blood to the other organs that keep us alive. Let’s take care of it by eating right and being active are the top to-do list for healthy heart living.
Other ways to improve your heart health:
Getting enough sleep
Practicing mindfulness
Managing stress
Keep your mind and body fit
Connecting socially
Things to avoid to help one’s risk for heart disease and stroke:
Smoking tobacco
Nicotine products
Vaping
There is help to quit these habits, the Heart Association has a program called “Tobacco Endgame.” That can help both teens and adults.
Healthy eating
Balance is the key word for healthy-heart eating, which encourages people to adopt broad eating habits instead of focusing on single foods and it’s not one size fits all. Many Americans have acquired a taste for a high-salt (sodium) diet. One way to cut back is to skip the table salt. However, most of the sodium in our diets comes from packaged, processed foods. Eating these types less often can help reduce your sodium intake, lower your blood pressure, and prevent high blood pressure (or hypertension) from developing in the first place. Sodium types to avoid are salt, sea salt, and table salt.
Being overweight or obese can also increase one’s risk for heart disease. Maintaining your ideal body weight can be difficult, but it can help in the long run and be worth it. Losing even a few pounds can improve your health.
Obesity means a higher risk for many serious health issues, such as:
Stroke
High Blood Pressure
High Cholesterol
Diabetes
You may feel better about yourself and have more energy to make other positive health changes. The American Heart Association also has a program to help called “Healthy For Good” which also includes; an eat-smart digital recipe booklet.
Tools to help
There are several tools to help people build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease. One of the most common ones is a Blood Pressure Cuff, this can help keep track of your blood pressure readings, so you can report if it’s at a high (abnormal) level to your MD for support. Checking your blood pressure regularly is a good practice to tell you what your baseline is and learn what is normal for you.
Blood pressure chart:
Knowing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack
A heart attack is a life-threatening medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. It is also known as a “myocardial infarction.” It happens when the oxygen-carrying blood to the heart vessels becomes blocked. If blood flow to the heart isn’t restored quickly, the heart muscle will begin to die. Women often experience different symptoms of a heart attack than men experience. A heart attack is not the same as a cardiac arrest, which happens when your heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. However, a heart attack can cause cardiac arrest. Therefore it is important for people to learn the skill of CPR and the use of an AED, to help save a person’s life until medical help can arrive.
Watch this video to learn about:
We hope this information helps everyone to realize the importance of taking care of one own heart. It’s important so we can live longer to carry on with.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Stay tuned for an upcoming heart health information and blood pressure check table in February, between services.
OCC members CPR training.
Healthy heart program to learn how to monitor their blood pressure at home.
Can contact Adriene Tillman or Pastor Steve if interested.
SOURCES
Amplified Bible
American Heart Association
www.GetTheNewLife.com or see “Natural Remedies”-Handbook II
Holy Bible (NKJV)
Prepared by Adriene Tillman & Dr. Queen Ilunga, RN
If you or your family members are experiencing some life challenges, we as the Health Ministry have several community resources at our fingertips. Let us know how we can help!
JOIN THE HEALTH MINISTRY TEAM!
Do you have a passion to encourage others to serve God holistically through our minds, bodies, and souls? We invite both medical professionals and non-medical people to join this special team!
