CHENANGO COUNTY - Don’t go breaking any hearts this month! Cardiovascular and Heart Disease can be fatal - you’ve got to check yourself. Most pharmacies in Chenango County offer free blood pressure checks, and UHS Care Coordinators can help with free resources to monitor blood pressure and learn to care for your heart.

Cardiovascular Disease is any illness that affects the heart and blood vessels - and when your heart develops a blockage, it can’t pump blood properly. Heart Diseases can cause heart attacks, strokes, or even death. In fact, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the US with 1 in 3 people dying from heart attacks, strokes, and complications. It’s important to get regular check-ups with your doctor or local health department because most people don’t know they have it until it’s too late.

Nearly a million Americans die from cardiovascular disease every year - that’s one person every 40 seconds. And anywhere from 20-50% of all heart attacks are “silent”, but deadly and have lifelong effects. Silent heart attacks are those where symptoms can go unnoticed until a major heart event like a “massive” heart attack. Heart attacks can look different in men and women.

If you think you or someone you know is having a heart attack or stroke,

Call 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Room/Department immediately!

Symptoms of Cardiovascular Disease, Strokes, and Heart Attacks:

Heart Attacks in Men: pain or pressure in chest, arm, neck and/or jaw, heartburn or indigestion, shortness of breath, and nausea, vomiting, and/or excessive sweating.

Heart Attacks in Women: pain or pressure in the jaw, neck, upper back/shoulder blades, upper abdomen and/or chest, shortness of breath, indigestion, dizziness or fainting, nausea or vomiting, extreme fatigue and sleep issues

Cardiovascular Disease: chest pain, swelling or pain/cramps in the legs, palpitations, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, numbness/weakness in the face or limbs

Stroke (FAST): Face drooped + Arm weakness + Speech difficulty = Call 911.

Risk Factors:

Family history of heart disease;

Low or no physical activity, & sitting for long periods;

Smoking cigarettes, heavily drinking alcohol, & substance use;

Eating foods high in sodium (salt), saturated & trans fats, & sugar;

High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Obesity, Asthma, COPD, & COVID-19;

Chronic Stress, Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, & Sleep Apnea/Disorders.

Lower Your Risk

Regularly monitor your vitals. Maintain normal blood pressure (120/80mm Hg), blood sugar (70 to 110mg/dL), and cholesterol levels (LDL under 100mg/dL and HDL above 60mg/dL). Everyone is different, check with your doctor for your ideal levels.

Exercise and Weight management. Get your body moving at least 30 minutes a day and check food labels when shopping to make sure you eat a heart healthy diet full of nutritional foods like healthy fats, leafy greens and veggies, and high-fiber foods.

Drink plenty of water. Water makes up 73% of your heart muscle and blood plasma is 90% water. Dehydration makes your blood move like sludge and can cause blockages in your heart. Most people need about 100 oz of water a day - more or less depending on your activity level, weight, age, and climate.

Manage your stress and sleep. It can be difficult to deal with stress and sleep issues alone. Don’t stress out your heart, talk to your doctor to discuss treatment options like sleep studies, therapy, medicines, etc. to get at least 7-9 hours of sleep a night.

Learn more

It can be scary to think about heart disease, but it’s much scarier to have a heart attack. Talk to your doctor about your risk, so you can take control of your heart health.

To learn more: Cardiovascular Disease Overview, National Institute of Health: www.nhlbi.nih.gov/sites/default/files/publications/FactSheetKnowDiffDesign2020V4a.pdf. MyPlate Heart Friendly Foods, U.S. Department of Agriculture at www.myplate.gov/. Lowering Your Risk to Prevent Heart Disease, CDC: www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/prevention/index.html.

Persons with questions or requiring additional information may contact the Chenango County Health Department at (607) 337-1660.

- From the Chenango County Health Department