Dr. Harrison was featured in the August issue of Wellington The Magazine. Click here to read the article. 

 Every 40 seconds someone in the US dies from heart disease, stroke, or other forms of cardiovascular disease. Half of Americans are living with some form of cardiovascular disease. It is the leading cause of death globally. Cardiovascular disease includes coronary heart disease, stroke, heart attack, and high blood pressure. Here are some ways to reduce your risk:

1. Blood pressure control.
2. Adequate cholesterol control. Discuss your cholesterol goal with your physician.  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/cholesterol/art-20045192
3. Avoid tobacco use or quit smoking. https://smokefree.gov/
4. Eat a healthy diet. Eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, lean vegetable or animal protein, and fish. Minimize intake of refined carbohydrates, sweetened beverages, processed meats, or trans fat.
5. Maintain a healthy body weight. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm
6. If you have diabetes, achieve optimal control of your blood sugars.
7. Exercise: shoot for 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise or greater than 75 minutes of vigorous exercise. Consult your physician prior to beginning an exercise regimen.
8. Discuss aspirin use with your physician. Low dose aspirin for primary prevention is now reserved for select high risk patients. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/daily-aspirin-therapy/art-20046797

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1. Lose weight: you may drop 1 mm of Mercury (mmHg) for every 2.2 lbs. lost.
2. Exercise regularly: your goal is 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise. This may reduce your blood pressure by 5 to 8 mmHg. Consult your physician prior to beginning an exercise regimen.
3. Eat a heart healthy, low sodium diet: the DASH diet can lower your systolic blood pressure (top number) by 14 mmHg. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/dash-diet/art-20048456
4. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink: drink in moderation. This is equivalent to no more than one beverage for women or no more than two beverages for men a day. This may reduce your blood pressure by 4 mmHg.
5. Quit smoking.  https://smokefree.gov/
6. Reduce stress levels. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/stress-and-high-blood-pressure/art-20044190

        Lifestyle changes have proven to reduce your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. One out of three Americans have prediabetes. What is more shocking is 90% of people don’t know they have it. Prediabetes places you at an increased risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, and having a stroke. Damage to your blood vessels, heart, and lungs may start with prediabetes.  You may discuss getting tested via a blood test if you are overweight, have an immediate family member with diabetes (mother, father, sister, or brother), over 45 years old, physically active less than 3 times a week, have a history of gestational diabetes, or have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
       To address the national epidemic, the CDC has formulated a National Diabetes Prevention Program which focuses on lifestyle interventions to reduce your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Through the program patients have lowered their risk as much as 58%. Help reduce your risk by

1. Get more physical activity: exercise at least moderate 30 minutes 5 times a week. Examples of moderate activity including taking a brisk walk, swimming, or riding a bike. Discuss what exercise is safe for you with your doctor.
2. Lose excess weight
3. Controlling your blood pressure and cholesterol
4. Eat healthy foods: Do not eat processed foods or fried foods. Avoid sugary foods or beverages. Drink water instead. Eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, chicken, fish, and low fat dairy.

You can read more about diabetes prevention and pre-diabetes at:
https://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/Diabetes/AboutDiabetes/Pre-diabetes_UCM_461491_SubHomePage.jsp

February is federally designated as American Heart Month since 1963. This month raises awareness about how vital it is for Americans to focus on their heart health. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally. In America, there is one death from cardiovascular disease every 38 seconds. By making modest changes to your lifestyle and diet you can lower your risk by as much as 80 percent. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease include high cholesterol and high triglycerides, high blood pressure, diabetes and prediabetes, being overweight and obesity, smoking, lack of physical activity, diet, and stress. Here are some ways you can lower your risk:

1. Get Active: Increasing your activity level can help you lower your blood pressure, raise your good cholesterol, increase blood circulation, aides in weight loss, and helps prevent bone loss.  https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/getting-active
2. Quit smoking: Need help? Visit http://www.tobaccofreeflorida.com
                                                   or call 1-877-U-CAN-NOW (1-877-822-6669)
3. Lower stress levels
4. Stay proactive about your health: Go for your annual check-up to get screened and treated as necessary for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
5. Maintain a healthy body weight: Know your BMI. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmi-m.htm
6. Eat a healthy diet:  https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating

All information on our blog, website, or Facebook page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace or substitute for any medical advice.  Emily Harrison, MD makes no representations or warranties and expressly disclaims any and all liability concerning any treatment, action by, or effect on any person following the general information offered within or through the blog, website, or Facebook. For particular concerns or if a situation arises, you should consult your physician.