Cardiac Risk
By Laurie McKee, RN, Avera Sacred Heart Hospital ICU/Cardiac Services
Most people already know that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of both men and women in the United States. Most of us already know many of the main causes of heart disease - obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heredity, etc. So, the question is, what are we going to do about it?
Knowledge is your best weapon against any type of disease or illness. It's important to know your family health history. When it comes to heart disease, you need to know if there's a family history of heart problems, high blood pressure and high cholesterol - many of these symptoms are hereditary.
Once you've gained that insight, discuss these issues with your physician or health care provider. Perhaps this is during a physical or other visit to your doctor. Your physician can help guide you in the right direction toward your heart health awareness.
It's important to get an early start on this "heart health awareness." Many times, disaster can be averted well ahead of time through simple lifestyle changes - a little less fat in the diet, a little more exercise, cutting out the smoking and the exposure to second-hand smoke and working on ways to reduce stress. As I said earlier - we know the culprits - it's taking control of them before they take control of us that makes all the difference.
Lowering that cholesterol before it blocks the arteries can save you from requiring by-pass surgery down the road.
Lowering your stress levels and regular exercise can reduce your blood pressure.
Some of these changes are easy for many people and some can be very difficult. The value shouldn't necessarily be seen as an immediate benefit (although you will notice a difference right away with many), but more as a long-term investment in your own health. In my almost 30 years of nursing, many of which have been in critical care, I have yet to meet a person who enjoyed having heart problems. Many have expressed they regret not making changes earlier in their lives, others wish they had just known they were at risk in the first place. Gaining that knowledge is critical.
You can take a step in the right direction by attending Avera Sacred Heart's "Go Red for Heart Health of It" event at the Avera Professional Office Pavilion and Education Center Monday, Feb. 15. There are still a few spaces left for this special evening of elegant heart healthy eating, wine sampling, education and entertainment. The evening will get underway at 5:30 p.m. with heart healthy appetizers, red wine tasting and a heart healthy mini-fair. At 6:00 p.m. we will be serving a heart healthy dinner, dessert and beverages. There will also be drawings for door prizes at this time. Following dinner, cardiologist Will Hurley, MD, Yankton Medical Clinic, P.C., will present "Importance of Knowing Your Risk for Heart Disease" followed by author and inspirational speaker MK Mueller who will present "Keeping Your Heart Happy." Tickets for this event are only $10 and may be reserved by calling 1877-AT AVERA (1-877-282-8372) or online.
