Take steps to keep your heart healthy
By Dana Benson
February is American Heart Month and during this month, it’s important to remember that there is a lot we can do all year long to stay heart healthy.
In fact, Baylor College of Medicine physicians have recently discussed several measures to protect the heart. Men and women alike would be wise to pay attention to these important tips.
Make health a priority
Some of these recommendations are specific to the hard economic time that the country currently is facing. Christie Ballantyne, M.D., chief of the section of arthrosclerosis and vascular medicine at BCM and the director of the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at the Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, cautions that now is not the time to put your heart health on the back burner.
Some people may be tempted to cut out doctor’s visits or medications to save money, he said. But this is not a good idea, because stress increases blood pressure and heart strain and could cause other poor health habits. Cutting out a doctor’s visit or not taking medication you need could potentially increase damage – and, in the long run, cost even more.
Instead, Ballantyne advises talking to your provider to see what payment options can be worked out and looking into generic alternatives or other changes to prescriptions that could save money.
And if you’re in good heart health, the best way to maintain that is to watch your diet. Molly Gee, a nutritionist at BCM, recommends cutting calories and saving a buck or two by splitting meals when you eat out or boxing up half for later.
Know your history
Another way to protect your heart is to know your family history of heart disease. This could even be life-saving, said Hamid Afshar, M.D., assistant professor of medicine. Cardiac trouble comes in a wide range of symptoms, including discomfort or pain in the chest, shoulders, arms or jaw. Other symptoms include lightheadedness and fatigue. When you know your family history – and share this information with your physician – it could make it easier to diagnosis heart problems.
For women, minimizing the risk of developing heart disease could be aided by getting a good night’s sleep. Research has shown a link between sleep disturbances and the risk of developing heart disease, and women have more sleep-related complaints than men, said Bhuvana Muthuswamy, M.D., assistant professor of medicine.
These are positive steps that people can take to keep their hearts healthy, and there is much more information available. Visit BCM's Heart Health web site feature or the Baylor Heart Clinic. For more information about American Heart Month, visit www.americanheart.org.
