February is American Heart Month, a nationwide effort to raise awareness about heart disease prevention and treatment.
The observance was first declared by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, making the fight against heart disease a national priority. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, was formally recognized soon after, and the month has since been used to promote public education campaigns and training on how to recognize and respond to heart attacks.
Despite decades of progress, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, except in Africa. Health experts say many of those deaths could be prevented through lifestyle and dietary changes.
Dr. Ammad Sajjad (ah-MAHD sah-ZHAHD), a cardiologist at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph, said prevention begins with understanding personal risk factors.
“People that have the risk factors — diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet — should discuss coronary artery disease with their primary care physician,” Sajjad said. “That is your first defense against coronary artery disease.”
Mosaic Life Care offers screenings for at-risk individuals. In December, the hospital invested in additional analysis technology that uses computer software to identify plaque buildup, or artery blockages.
“Mosaic is at the cutting edge of this because we are the first hospital in Missouri to offer this technology to our patients,” Sajjad said. “Basically, we analyze the inside of the arteries for plaque buildup with the help of computer algorithms or AI.”
The technology, known as coronary plaque analysis, helps inform treatment decisions.
Mosaic Life Care is a financial supporter of KXCV-KRNW.