Georgia health e-update, Feb. 2011

February 2011 Newsletter

February is American Heart Health Month
Heart disease is the number one cause of death. About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which often appears as a heart attack.
The chance of developing coronary heart disease can be reduced by taking steps to prevent and control factors that put people at greater risk. Additionally, knowing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack can increase your chances of having a positive outcome if you suffer from one.
The month of February is dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease and increasing knowledge about prevention. Educate yourself on the dangers of heart disease and get on track to better heart health!
Click on the Wellcast icon to the right to learn more.

Know Your Signs and Symptoms

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense; but most start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. People affected are often unaware of what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) list the following warning signs:



Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes,

or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain



Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the

back, neck, jaw or stomach



Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort



Other signs. These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness

Develop Healthy Habits

A healthy diet and lifestyle are the best weapons to fight heart disease. This may seem difficult for some but if you're at risk for heart disease, it may be a choice between life and death. As you make daily food choices, base your eating pattern on these recommendations:



Choose lean meats and poultry without skin and prepare them without added saturated and trans fat



Select fat-free, 1% fat and low-fat dairy products



Cut back on foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to reduce trans fat in your diet



Cut back on foods high in dietary cholesterol. Aim to eat less than 300 mg of cholesterol each day



Cut back on beverages and foods with added sugars



Choose and prepare foods with little or no salt. Aim to eat less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day. All persons who have

hypertension, all middle-aged and older adults, and all African Americans should consume no more than 1,500 mg of sodium

per day



If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation. That means no more than one drink per day if you're a woman and two drinks

per day if you're a man



Keep an eye on your portion sizes