This website is best viewed in a browser that supports web standards.

Skip to content or, if you would rather, Skip to navigation.

Listen Live
Donate
MARYVILLE

KXCV-KRNW


News Brief

Feb. 11, 2019Maryville, MO |  By: Jenny James

Heart Disease is the leading cause of death

February is American Heart Month, and according to the centers for disease control prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. About 630,000 Americans die of heart disease each year. RN and health educator at the Nodaway County Public Health, Katherine Hawley, says February is an important month to remember how to take care of your heart.

"Preventing heart disease can be done by healthy living habits.  And by living a healthy lifestyle, you can keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, sugar normal, and lower your risk for heart disease and heart attack."

Hawley adds maintaining a healthy lifestyle includes a few factors.

"Basically a healthy lifestyle includes eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, getting enough physical activity, not smoking or using other forms of tobacco, and limiting alcohol use."

Hawley says there are things you can do to check your heart health.

"Know your blood pressure.  Just have your blood pressure checked. High blood pressure has no symptoms, so it's important to have your blood pressure checked regularly.  Talking to your health care provider about whether you should be tested for diabetes is another good way to screen and help promote heart health, because having uncontrolled diabetes raises your chance of heart disease.  Quit smoking and go ahead and discuss checking cholesterol and triglyceride levels with your health care provider.  Make healthy food choices. Limit alcohol and lower stress level and find healthy ways to cope with stress."

For direct links to heart healthy tips, visit nodawaypublichealth.org  .