Dr. Hilary Titus, Family Physician at NHC Canby Medical and Dental Clinic

By Dr. Hilary Titus, Family Physician at NHC Canby Medical and Dental Clinic

Your heart is central to your overall health and well-being.  This organ is a big part of maintaining a healthy life, and you are never too old or too young to start taking care of your heart. February is American Heart Month, a great time to talk about how you can take better care of your heart and prevent common diseases like high blood pressure and stroke. Here are some common questions people have about heart health and some clear answers you can use to better your heart health.

Q: What conditions increase the risk of heart disease?

Some risk factors for heart disease you can control, and some you cannot.  If you are over 40 and have a family history of heart disease, you are at higher risk of developing heart disease.  However, you can make changes in your life to reduce your risk of heart disease, including lowering cholesterol and high blood pressure, exercising, reducing stress, and quitting smoking.  Diabetes also increases your risk.

Q: At what age should I start getting tested for heart disease?

A: It’s recommended that adults start getting heart health screenings at age 20.  This usually involves checking blood pressure once a year.  Your provider may also recommend checking your cholesterol levels every one to five years.  If the levels are high or there is a history of heart disease in the family, you’ll want to be checked more often.

Q: How does what I eat affect my risk for heart disease?

A: Eating foods that are good for your heart can help lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar, and can lower your risk of developing heart disease.  Having a “heart-healthy diet” is just as important as exercising and quitting smoking.  Some foods you can eat that are good for your heart are fish, beans, nuts, and whole grains.  Processed meat is especially bad for your heart, since it’s high in fat and cholesterol.

Q: Are symptoms of heart disease different for women than men?

A: Initially, heart disease has no symptoms. This is why regular checkups are important. Eventually, heart disease can cause a heart attack. When most people think of heart attack symptoms, they think of chest pain that radiates to the jaw or arm. However, this is a more common symptom for men. Symptoms can look different for women, including shortness of breath, indigestion, and pain in the upper back or jaw. If you have these symptoms and also have high blood pressure or diabetes, call your provider right away.

Your provider can help answer any questions you have about heart disease.  They can also help you lower or manage your risk factors, so you can feel more confident about your heart health.