Essentia Health Encourages Prioritizing Heart Health

February is American Heart Month and is the perfect time to check in on your heart health, schedule an appropriate screening and consider lifestyle changes to reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease.
 
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, including among both men and women in the United States. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), nearly 2,500 people in the U.S. die from cardiovascular disease every day, with the most common type of heart disease being coronary artery disease.


Knowing when to seek heart care
You should see your primary care physician if you have a family history of heart disease or if you experience dizzy spells, shortness of breath or chest pain.
Your doctor may refer you to a heart specialist for further testing and treatment.
General risk factors include:

• Chest pain, pressure, burning, aching or tightness, which may come and go.
• A family history of cardiovascular disease.
• High blood pressure.
• Overweight or obese.
• Sedentary lifestyle.
• Using tobacco products.
• Metabolic disease, diabetes or other illnesses.
• Taking certain birth control pills, a history of pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes or having a low-birth-weight baby.

• Typical heart pain presents as chest pressure in the central or left side of the chest.
• Women and diabetic people may have atypical symptoms, such as:
  • Feeling completely exhausted, drained, dizzy or nauseous.
  • Feeling upper back pain that travels up into their jaw.
  • Pain that spreads above the jawbone or arms.
  • Difficult or labored breathing.

• Eat a balanced diet.
• Be active.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Get quality sleep.
• Quit smoking.
• Manage stress and health conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.