American Heart Month

American Heart Month

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February is American Heart Month - a time to reflect on the sobering fact that heart disease remains the number one killer of both women and men in the United States The good news is you have the power to protect and improve your heart health.
Certain risk factors - like getting older or having a family history of heart disease - can’t be changed. But you do have control over some important risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, excess weight and physical inactivity. Many people have more than one risk factor. To safeguard your heart, it’s best to lower or eliminate as many risk factors as you can because they tend to “gang up” and worsen each other’s effects.
To tackle your heart risk factors, it helps to know your numbers. Ask your physician to measure your cholesterol and blood pressure. The higher your cholesterol, the greater your risk for heart disease or heart attack. High cholesterol itself doesn’t cause symptoms, so you can’t know if your cholesterol is too high unless you have it tested.
High blood pressure (hypertension) is another major risk factor for heart disease, as well as for stroke. High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because, like high cholesterol, it usually has no symptoms. Blood pressure is always reported as two numbers, and any numbers above 120/80 mmHg raise your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Your weight is another important number to know. To find out if you need to lose weight to reduce your risk of heart disease, calculate your body mass index (BMI, a ratio of weight to height). A BMI between 25 and 29.9 means that you’re overweight, while a BMI of 30 or higher signifies obesity.
If you find you’re at a high risk of developing heart disease, improved diet and exercise can make a significant impact for the better. A heart-healthy diet includes a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as lean meats, poultry, fish and beans. Make physical activity a pleasure rather than a chore by choosing activities you enjoy. Take a brisk walk, play ball, lift light weights, dance or garden. Even taking the stairs instead of an elevator can make a difference.

Cardiac Rehabilitation at Kirby

Kirby offers a two-part outpatient rehabilitation program, Phase II and Phase III Cardiac Rehab, for those living with heart disease. The program offers a combination of physical exercise, education and counseling tailored specifically to each patient’s needs.
Phase II Cardiac Rehab is an individualized outpatient exercise program for those who have had a cardiac event. Participants wear a heart monitor while they exercise three times a week. The program lasts from 6-12 weeks and includes education on heart disease, risk factor modification, dietary consultation and lifestyle change.
Phase III Cardiac Rehab is a maintenance program for those who have completed Phase II Cardiac Rehab or who have appropriate risk factor modification needs. Participants monitor their progress under the supervision of the rehabilitation staff.

If you think you would benefit from Kirby’s Cardiac Rehab program or would like more information, please call (217) 762-1830.