February is American Heart Month, which is a reminder to all of us to know our numbers for a healthy heart, including making sure you know your cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose levels and your percentage of body fat verses body muscle. The best way to learn those numbers is to get regular check-ups. If any of those numbers are elevated, or if you smoke or have other risk factors such as a family history of heart problems or high cholesterol, you should see your family doctor. If you have chest pain, especially if it radiates down your left arm, back pain or severe fatigue or nausea see a cardiologist immediately.
About 60 million Americans have some form of heart disease. It is the No. 1 killer in the world. It kills more people than cancer in the U.S. However, thanks to advanced medical technology and consumer awareness, many Americans with heart disease are doing well. Prevention is the first line of defense. Here are my top tips for gaining a healthy heart:
Quit smoking. This is my No. 1 suggestion because about 20 percent of all deaths from heart disease are directly related to cigarettes.
Exercise for 30 minutes every day. A sedentary lifestyle is one of the top risk factors for heart disease. Exercise will strengthen your heart and cardiovascular system, improve your circulation and lower your blood pressure.
Dr. Iaffaldano recommends lifestyle changes to reverse your risk of heart disease.
Make healthy choices in your diet. Eat fewer trans fats and high-cholesterol foods like egg yolks, fatty meats, butter and whole milk. Instead, eat foods like oatmeal, kidney beans, yams and apples to help absorb bad cholesterol. Other heart healthy foods include salmon, walnuts and olive oil. Eating vegetables, whole grains and fruit can help curb your appetite and reduce your cravings for fatty food.
Drop a few pounds. Being overweight raises bad cholesterol and lowers good cholesterol. By eating smart and exercising, you can take off weight and keep your cholesterol in balance.
Consider cholesterol medicines. Ask you doctor if medicines such as statins, fibrates and niacin can help keep your cholesterol in check. If your blood pressure is really high, we also recommend using medication, which can help lower your risk of heart problems.
Prevention is the best resource for heart disease. Combining lifestyle changes with medications, if necessary, is the best way to manage cholesterol and blood pressure to help you live a longer, fuller life.
If you have any questions regarding this information, please let us know by providing your comments below, or email us at info@metrosouthmedicalcenter.com. If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Iaffaldano, please call 708 489-7925.
