Do You Know Your Numbers? by Dr. Kim Nelson

18 Aug Do You Know Your Numbers? by Dr. Kim Nelson

February is American Heart Month. Are you showing your heart some love? According to the American Heart Association, every 80 seconds a woman dies from heart disease and stroke. It is the #1 killer of women in the United States and 90% of women have at least one risk factor.

Do you know what your risk of heart attack or stroke is in the next 10 years? The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Associate have a tool to calculate it for people age 40-79 who have not had a prior heart attack or stroke. ACC/AHA Risk Calculator. Talk to your healthcare provider about ways for you to reduce your risk factors.

While there are some risk factors you can’t change like your age, gender, family history, race and if you have had a heart attack or stroke in the past, there are ways you can decrease the chance of future cardiovascular disease. Clink on the links referenced below for additional information on the topics.

Follow advice from the American Heart Association on “Life’s Simple 7” to reduce your risk!

1. Get Active – Physical activity makes you feel good and sets a good example for your kids. Find fun ways to spend time together with those you love and get some exercise!
2. Control Cholesterol – Cholesterol is found in all the cells of your body. It is necessary for hormone production and making components for digesting fats however too much can cause narrowing in arteries throughout the body. This can cause blockages that limit the blood flow to muscles like your heart or to your brain and cause a heart attack or stroke.Cholesterol Fact Sheet
3. Eat Better – What you eat and how much you eat influence how you feel and your overall health. Watching the amount and types of fats, carbohydrates, sugars and other key ingredients such as sodium and potassium can be the recipe for success! Heart Healthy Eating for Women
4. Manage Blood Pressure – New guidelines for blood pressure were released in 2017. Is your blood pressure higher than 120 mmHg over 80 mmHg? You may have elevated or high blood pressure requiring follow up with your health care provider. New ACC/AHA High Blood Pressure Guidelines
5. Lose Weight–Knowing your body mass index (BMI) can help you determine if you are in a healthy weight range. BMI Calculator If your BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9 you are in the optimal range. If you are above that, here are some tips on moving the scale in the right direction. Healthy Weight Management
6. Reduce Blood Sugar – Sugar can hide out in many places. Sugar not only adds calories but can increase your risk for developing diabetes which is an added risk for heart disease. Read labels carefully and watch out for the other names for sugars such as maltose, syrup and more! Choose My Plate
7. Stop Smoking –Using tobacco increases your risk of developing heart disease by six times or having a stroke. E-Cigarettes have been shown to have harmful effects on the heart and are not a “safer” form of tobacco. E-Cigarettes Harmful It is never too late to quit! Stop-Smoking Take the first step and encourage those around you to love their heart by quitting.

Dr. Kimberly Nelson has been a cardiac nurse for over 20 years with experience in the hospital, community and research practice areas. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Nursing from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia and Doctorate of Nursing Practice from University of Virginia in Charlottesville. She is certified as a Cardiac-Vascular Nurse, Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist, Heart Failure Nurse, Cardiac Care Coordinator and Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer. She is currently practicing as a Clinical Nurse Specialist at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.