American Heart Month

Misty Handley, PMH VISTA

On Friday, February 3, 2012, National Wear Red Day, Americans all over the country will wear red to show their support of women's heart health. At Pocahontas Memorial Hospital, employees are encouraged to wear red to support this initiative. In addition, we are promoting American Heart Month by hosting several events including heart healthy meal makeover cooking demonstrations and outside speakers.
Why promote awareness of heart health?
Heart disease, including stroke, is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States.
West Virginia ranked first in the nation in 2008 in the prevalence of heart attacks, angina or coronary health disease, and stroke.
Pocahontas County ranked 31 out of the 55 counties in West Virginia in prevalence of heart attacks, stroke, and angina. So, what puts people at risk of heart disease? You are at higher risk of heart disease if you are a woman age 55 or older, a man age 45 or older, or a person with a family history of early heart disease.
The good news is that heart disease can be prevented. To keep your heart healthy watch your weight, quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke, control your cholesterol and blood pressure, drink only in moderation, get active and eat healthy, talk to your doctor about taking aspirin every day if you are a man over the age of 45 or a woman over 55, and manage stress.

Find the ways to reduce your risk of heart disease:
1. Get Active
2. Eat Healthy
3. Stress Less
4. Talk to your Doctor 
5. Quit Smoking

Want more information about heart disease and its prevention? Go to the American Heart Association www.heart.org or the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute at www.nhlbi.nih.gov/educational/hearttruth/