According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH), about 199,000 people in Colorado have coronary heart disease. That is the most common form of heart disease and can ­be prevented in most cases.

February is American Heart Month and there are many ways you can help raise awareness and take action to help keep yourself and your family healthy.

Heart Health Services

If you have questions about your heart health, reach out to your primary care provider today.
For more information on heart health services offered at Prowers Medical Center, visit prowersmedical.com.

What is Coronary Heart Disease?

Coronary heart disease is a type of heart disease that falls under the big umbrella of cardiovascular disease. The NIH reports that 1 in 3 deaths, or about 800,000 people, die of cardiovascular disease every year in the U.S. Of those deaths, nearly 366,000 Americans die from coronary heart disease. In addition to that, about 1 in 9 people have been diagnosed with heart disease.

Many people know someone who has had “clogged arteries” or atherosclerosis. That means a combination of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances in the blood — also known as plaque — builds up in arteries. When this happens, it reduces the amount of oxygen-rich blood getting to the heart. Plaque buildup leads to blood clots and, in some cases, heart attack. The good news is that this disease can be prevented in most cases.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most people’s first clue that they have coronary heart disease is when they have a heart attack. Heart attack symptoms include:

  • Chest pain or discomfort (angina)
  • Weakness
  • Light-headedness
  • Nausea – feeling sick to your stomach
  • Cold sweats
  • Pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulder
  • Shortness of breath

If you are experiencing these symptoms, seek emergency care by calling 911.

What Can You Do to Prevent Heart Diseases like Coronary Heart Disease?

Like with most health shifts, it is best to reach out to your primary care provider to create a plan that works best for your needs. However, aside from the standard recommendation of achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, there are many simple steps you can take to improve your heart health, including:

  • Reducing your sodium and unhealthy fat intake
  • Learning new recipes
  • Getting seven to eight hours of sleep every night
  • Adding more physical activity to your daily routine
  • Managing stress in healthy ways like meditation, quiet time, or decompressing with a good movie or book

The national health education program The Heart Truth states that inactive people are nearly twice as likely to develop heart disease. It recommends adding more physical activity to your routine. When you move your body more, you improve blood flow, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, gain more stamina and increase your ability to cope with stress. To find out what physical activities are safe for you and create a fitness plan, reach out to your primary care provider.

Sharing The Message

The NIH encourages people to raise awareness by sharing messages on social media and talking with friends and family about heart health. In addition to that, National Wear Red Day, a day for heart health awareness, is the first Friday of February. This year, it will be held tomorrow, Friday, February 4th.