Red is the Color

February is red – the Chinese Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day, and Heart Health Month.  Red is the color of luck, valentines, and the heart.  So, February is a perfect time to increase awareness about coronary artery (heart) disease.

Heart disease is the #1 cause of death for both women and men in America.  Every year almost one million Americans have heart attacks.  About 600,000 Americans die from heart disease annually.  In fact, more Southerners die of heart disease compared to those who live in Western states. 

Without blood and breath there is no life, the heart needs a blood supply for nutrients to pump oxygen containing-blood throughout the body. Coronary artery disease occurs when the arteries feeding the heart become clogged.  This condition causes stroke, heart failure, and heart attacks. Risk for heart disease increases as we age. 

Know your risk for heart disease! 

1. Do you smoke?

2. Do you have high blood pressure?

3. Are you overweight?

4. Do you have diabetes?

5. Did your mother or father die of a heart attack before the age of 50?

6. Is your cholesterol high?

7. Are you sedentary?

If you answered yes to anyone to those questions, then you are at increased risk of heart disease and/or having a stroke or hear attack.  Talk to your doctor about reducing your risk.  Stop smoking. Cigarette smoke contains tar and materials, which cause stickiness in blood vessels supplying the heart.  Imagine a sink pipe with loads and loads of grit inside, consequently less and less “stuff” gets through the pipe. 

Oftentimes high blood pressure doesn’t have symptoms, yet it causes life-threatening damage.  By losing as little as 10% of bodyweight can reduce blood pressure and risk of heart disease.  It’s very important not to ignore diabetes if diagnosed, for it can result in blindness and kidney failure in addition to increasing risk of heart attacks. 

I know we all are tired of hearing about eating right and exercising; however it really does work. Have your cholesterol checked annually if female over the age of 45 and if male, over the age 35. Incorporating more grains in your diet can help to lower your cholesterol.  Move more.   

The Million Hearts initiative is a national charge to prevent 1 million deaths from heart attack and stroke in the next 5 years. It’s as easy as ABCS – aspirin therapy when appropriate, blood pressure control, cholesterol control, and smoking cessation.

Honor the contributions of African-American physicians this Black History Month by knowing and reducing your risk for coronary artery disease. Leaders in the field of heart health were: the first African-American cardiologist, Dr. Daniel Hale; the hematologist & developer of modern blood banking techniques,Dr. Charles Drew; and the first African-American woman to perform heart surgery, Dr. Myra Logan.    

Let’s fight heart disease to create a healthier tomorrow!  Be well.