HEALTHY HEART NEWS
Volume 14 | February 2019
Beverly Keefer, Director of Cardiovascular Services /Anthony Patrello, Medical Director of SLCH Cardiovascular Institute
St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital’s Cardiovascular Institute is committed to you and our community. We pride ourselves on being an engaged partner with the many constituencies that we serve. As part of our commitment to meeting your heart health needs, we have developed this quarterly newsletter filled with information that can improve the quality of, and in some cases, help save your life. If there are topics that you would like to see covered in future editions, please e-mail Beverly Keefer, Director of Cardiovascular Services, Cardiac Cath and Interventional Radiology at bkeefer@slchospital.org.
FEBRUARY: THE MONTH TO CELEBRATE OUR HEARTS American Heart Month was enacted in December of 1963 and first celebrated in February 1964. President Lyndon B. Johnson made it so via proclamation #3566, and the Congress issued a joint resolution that requested the standing President issue an annual proclamation designating February of each year as American Heart Month. The rate of death from heart disease was more than 50% in the early 1960s – it is now less than 25%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Heart disease kills about 610,000 people in the United States each year; amounting to one in every four deaths in this country. It is also the leading cause of death in men and women. Knowing your risk for heart disease is the first step in keeping your heart healthy. That is why St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital provides heart health information throughout the month of February. Here are some key US statistics that underline the importance of tackling heart disease and why National Heart Month is therefore so important: • Other than a brief period (1918-1920) when pneumonia and influenza topped the charts, ‘diseases of the heart’ has been the top cause of death in the United States since 1910. • 85.6 million Americans are currently living with cardiovascular diseases in some form. • Approximately 29 percent of adults in the United States have high blood pressure. That is around 75 million people! Although these facts are alarming, the good news is that cardiovascular disease can be prevented with lifestyle choices and preventive measures: • Know Your Numbers: Your cholesterol level is intimately tied to your risk for heart disease. Take some time to understand what ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol is, what your own cholesterol numbers are, and why you can still be at risk if your levels are normal. • Make Your Health a Priority: Diet is important. Make a commitment to not only eat better, but also be physically active 3-5 times a week. Start slow (even just 15 minutes of walking) and gradually increase as you build up your strength. • Remember to Stay Active: Being active is an essential part of being healthy and is now more important than ever. Today, we have less free time and there are many more unhealthy options with which to fill it.
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TIPS FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN TO STAY PHYSICALLY ACTIVE Be Active as a Family In order to be successful, any plan to increase physical activity must be family based. It’s more fun, the kids are more likely to participate if you are involved, and this way, not one family member gets singled out. Try to Have an Active Lifestyle Make physical activity a part of your everyday life! Try to walk whenever possible, go for family bike rides, park at the furthest point away in the grocery store parking lot, or take the stairs instead of the elevator. Large or small, always be looking for ways to increase physical activity. Play Sports With all the video games and TV time, every child will need something like a sports activity to keep them active. Consider having your child join a baseball team or gymnastics class and he or she will adopt a healthy lifestyle, while having fun! Limit Screen Time We recommend no more than two hours of total screen time per day. Studies have shown that with each increase in time spent in front of a screen, there is a direct increase in the risk of being overweight or obese. When we say, “screen time”, we mean all screens: hand held, phone, tablet, computer, and TV. The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) also recommends no TV for children less than two years of age and no TV in any child’s room. Be a Role Model As with every behavior change, the greatest predictor of your child succeeding is you demonstrating that good behavior. So get out there and jog, join a spinning class, use that exercise machine for something more than drying clothes! Whatever you choose to do, think about including your child. Many gyms have exercise programs designed just for kids! From ProHealthMD.com Using the tips above to stay active is a sure-fire way to make sure that you keep your heart strong and healthy. Keeping your children active from an early age will also lead to a healthier heart in the long run. As we celebrate and raise awareness during National Heart Month, remember that you have control over your cardiovascular health and the health of your family.
Choose to make your heart health a priority this month… and every month to come!
St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital Cardiovascular Institute | (845) 561-4400 | www.stlukescornwallhospital.org