Today, one in three adults will be diagnosed with heart disease. It is currently the leading cause of death in the United States. This statistic is staggering, but what most people don’t know is that 80 percent of heart disease cases can be managed or even prevented.
Here at Mercy Health, we understand the importance of heart disease and have options to help patients take the first steps in learning about their own heart health.
Heart Risk Assessment
In honor of American Heart Month, Mercy Health is currently offering a free, online heart risk assessment. Individuals answer questions focused on their cholesterol, diabetes, blood pressure and family history. Once complete, they are provided with their heart risk number along with information on next steps.
The assessment takes only a few minutes and is a great first step for anyone wanting to learn where their heart health stands.
Simple heart tips
Here are some steps you can take to improve your overall heart health.
- Improve your diet. Start by making small changes. Controlling portion size, incorporating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains and reducing sodium are a few examples of how you make your diet healthier.
- Be more active. Just taking a 30-minute walk ever day can vastly improve your overall heart health.
- Quit smoking. While most people might be aware that smoking is bad for you, especially for your lungs, it’s also bad for your heart. Smoking damages your blood vessels and can lead to increased blood pressure and heart rate.
While knowing where your heart health stands is important, seeing a doctor is vital. Having regular visits with your primary care provider should be on the top of your to-do list. They will be able to help assess and monitor your heart health year after year.
Learn more about the heart and vascular services offered at Mercy Health.
