Heart Healthy Tips

Coronary artery disease causes more than one million heart attacks each year. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men and women. It is important that you know your risk factors for heart disease and take steps to prevent cardiac events.

Some things are out of our control such as gender, age, family history, race and being post-menopausal. But there are many risk factors that are in our control. Controllable risk factors include:

• Smoking – Quit Smoking! Smokers have more than twice the risk for heart attack as non-smokers. To learn more about Jupiter Medical Center’s smoking cessation program, click here.
• Cholesterol – Improve Cholesterol Levels! Know your numbers; discuss them with your health care provider and understand what they mean.
• Uncontrolled Hypertension (high blood pressure) – Control Your Blood Pressure! Over 60 million Americans have high blood pressure, which is the most common heart disease risk factor. Know your numbers. If you have high blood pressure, it can be controlled through diet, exercise, weight management and, if needed, medications. To learn more about Jupiter Medical Center’s health navigator and how she can help you, click here.
• Physical inactivity – Get Active! People who don’t exercise have higher death rates and heart disease compared to people who perform even mild to moderate amounts of physical activity. Click here to learn about Jupiter Medical Center’s fitness programs.
• Obesity – Maintain A Healthy Weight! Excess weight puts a strain on your heart and contributes to other heart disease risk factors, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Jupiter Medical Center’s weight management program can help. To learn more, click here.
• Eat Right – Adopt a Heart-Healthy Diet! A diet low in salt, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol and refined sugars. Eat plant based foods such as fruit and vegetables, nuts, and whole grains. Jupiter Medical Center offers monthly nutrition classes. To learn more, click here.
• Uncontrolled Diabetes – Control It! If you are struggling with diabetes, Jupiter Medical Center’s Diabetes Education team can help. To learn more about our program, click here.
• Stress – Manage Your Stress Effectively! Stress that is uncontrolled can lead to heart attack and stroke. Use stress management techniques to lower your risk. Practice relaxation techniques, learn how to manage your time, set realistic goals, and try something new, such as massage, tai chi or yoga. To learn more about Jupiter Medical Center’s Integrative Medicine program, click here.