February is American Heart Month a time\u00a0dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States.<\/p>\n
This education includes helping the community better understand the following:<\/p>\n
\u2013 Heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, blood sugar levels, and smoking.
\n\u2013 Symptoms of heart attack and stroke (often different in men and women)
\n\u2013 The importance of healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and managing\u00a0stress.
\n\u2013 Early detection and treatment options for heart disease.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want everyone to know that cardiovascular disease is the leading killer of women,\u201d said\u00a0Nate Miller, MD,\u00a0medical director at the Intermountain Health Saratoga Springs Emergency Department<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cEven though heart disease\u00a0is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States, many women misinterpret symptoms to less life-threatening conditions such as acid\u00a0reflux, the flu, or normal aging. We want women to be aware that\u00a0heart disease claims more women\u2019s lives than all forms of cancer combined, and to not discount symptoms\u201d said\u00a0Dr. Miller.<\/p>\n The reality is that currently, nearly\u00a045%\u00a0of women\u00a0over\u00a0age 20 are living with some form of cardiovascular disease.<\/p>\n \u201cYounger women are even less likely to be aware of their greatest health threat,\u201d said\u00a0Dr. Miller. \u201cKnowing the warning signs of heart attacks and strokes is\u00a0key\u00a0to catching and treating conditions,\u201d said\u00a0Dr. Miller.<\/p>\n Recent surveys show only\u00a044%\u00a0of women are aware that cardiovascular disease is their leading cause of death.<\/p>\n As the\u00a0leading cause of death for BOTH men and women in America,\u00a0one person dies every 36 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease \u2013 and about 659,000 people die from\u00a0heart\u00a0disease each year \u2013 that\u2019s\u00a01 in every 4 deaths.<\/p>\n Intermountain Health, which cares for more heart attack patients than any other health system in the region, is teaming with the American Heart Association in Utah in February to educate\u00a0women about their risks of heart disease.<\/p>\n A heart attack occurs when blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart muscle is severely reduced or cut off completely. This happens\u00a0because the arteries that supply the heart with blood can slowly narrow from a buildup of fat,\u00a0cholesterol, and other substances.<\/p>\n The good news for people is that there\u2019s a lot of people to protect their heart, including quitting smoking and maintaining an active lifestyle.\u00a0Heart health\u00a0is important for everyone, regardless of demographics.<\/p>\n Specific risk factors include:<\/p>\n It\u2019s time to act. Why? Losing even one woman to cardiovascular disease is too many.<\/p>\n Intermountain Health wants women in Utah to know their heart health numbers and family history.<\/p>\n These numbers include:<\/p>\n > Blood pressure \u201cWe also encourage all women to get their annual checkups and work with their primary care provider to address any risks for heart disease,\u201d said\u00a0Dr. Miller.<\/p>\n As part of American Heart Month in February, Intermountain Health is offering a Healthy Heart Quiz and other information and resources to help you assess your heart health. To\u00a0take the quiz, go to:\u00a0https:\/\/connect.intermountainhealth.org\/heart<\/a>.\t\t<\/p>\n \n About Intermountain Health<\/strong>\n <\/p>\n Headquartered in Utah with locations in six states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Health<\/a><\/b> is a not-for-profit system of 34 hospitals, approximately 400 clinics, medical groups with some 4,600 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a health plans division called Select Health with more than one million members, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. For up-to-date information and announcements, please see the Intermountain Health newsroom at https:\/\/intermountainhealthcare.org\/news<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
\n\u2022 Family history of heart problems
\n\u2022 High blood pressure
\n\u2022 High cholesterol
\n\u2022 Diabetes
\n\u2022 Lifestyle factors such as excess weight, smoking, and inactivity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n> Body mass index
\n> Blood sugar levels
\n> Total cholesterol level
\n> HDL cholesterol level<\/p>\n
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