National health observances
February is heart health month. Be aware; Take care.
Go Red for Women Day on Feb. 3. Heart disease kills more women than all cancers combined.
The facts about heart disease
- Heart disease is the number one killer in the U.S.
- Heart disease kills an estimated 630,000 Americans each year.
- It's the leading cause of death for both men and women.
- Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of premature, permanent disability in the U.S. labor force.
Be good to your heart in February
You can't control some risk factors, like your age, gender and family history. But you can reduce your risk for heart disease by as much as 87 percent according to researchers who have conducted health studies of men and women. And if you have cardiovascular disease, you can live a healthier, more active life by following these five steps:
- Eat healthy.
Increase fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your diet. Choose foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol. You'll reduce the levels of fat and cholesterol in the blood vessels leading to your heart, and you'll lose weight. - Get moving.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of activity on most days. Regular exercise can help reduce your cholesterol levels and blood pressure. - Watch your weight.
Excess weight not only puts too much strain on the heart but it can also affect blood pressure and cholesterol and increase your risk for diabetes. If you're overweight (with a BMI above 25), losing just 10 percent of your weight will help lower your risk for diseases linked to obesity. - Don't smoke.
Smoking is linked to heart problems as well as cancer. If you smoke, plan to quit. Sign up with BCN's Quit the Nic program for support while you kick the habit. Our record of success is higher than national averages. Call 1-800-811-1764 to enroll. - Drink alcohol in moderation.
Drinking more than three drinks a day can damage the heart and lead to high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and stroke. Heavy drinking also puts more fat in your body, which can lead to obesity and a higher risk of developing diabetes.
How we help
Blue Care Network supports Go Red for Women, and we promote American Heart Month to increase awareness of heart disease risk for our members.
- Follow our timetable of health actions (PDF) to help prevent illness or detect conditions in their earliest stages.
- Take the American Heart Association Heart Checkup to determine your level of risk. Note: you'll need to enter your cholesterol levels.
page modified 02/02/2012