Heart Health Month
Crossing Rivers Health to host heart health events
By Ted Pennekamp
February is National Heart Month and there are two Heart Healthy Wellness fairs coming up at Crossing Rivers Health of Prairie du Chien. The first fair is on Tuesday, Feb. 20 and the second is on Friday, Feb. 23. Both fairs will be held in the George Family Education Center at Crossing Rivers Health from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Fasting cholesterol and blood glucose screenings will be available as well as blood pressure checks. Everyone can also register for door prizes.
Fair participants can learn about the many other services, which may help them to live smart for their hearts.
In addition to the two fairs, a “Live Smart for Your Heart” free educational evening will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 27, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the George Family Education Center. There will be refreshments and door prizes.
The goal of the two Heart Healthy Wellness fairs and the Live Smart for Your Heart event is to promote more awareness regarding heart disease.
“We want people to be aware of what their risk factors are and also knowing that exercise is an important daily practice to take advantage of and to be aware of our weight and what we eat every day,” said Crossing Rivers Health Cardiac Rehab Director Tammy Thompson.
Thompson said that people should lower their sodium intake, and that Americans tend to eat twice as much as their daily requirements of sodium, which can lead to increased blood pressure. People should also eat more fruits and vegetables. A salty diet can lead to increased weight, said Thompson.
Crossing Rivers Health Clinical Exercise Physiologist Pat Stovey said, the saltier the diet, the higher the blood pressure will be and, thus, the higher the risk for heart disease and for the deposition of cholesterol in the arteries, and the higher the risk for stroke.
Austin Neis, Crossing Rivers Health exercise specialist, said that regular exercise can lower one’s total cholesterol and that health professionals like to see total cholesterol levels below 200. Regular exercise can also raise HDL cholesterol levels. HDL cholesterol is the good cholesterol, said Neis.
Thompson said that long term high blood pressure on the inside of the arteries can cause damage which, in turn, become collection sites for cholesterol. Over time, she said, these sites can become so clogged that they block off the artery and the person has a heart attack.
Stovey said when a person first begins to exercise, they should start off relatively slowly with small bouts of five to 10 minutes at a time throughout the day rather than beginning with 30 minutes right away. One should focus on making small changes over time like trying to lose one to two pounds of weight in a week or two.
“In the long term, it’s a marathon, not a sprint,” said Stovey.
Thompson noted Crossing Rivers Health creates individualized exercise plans based upon the needs of each patient.
Stovey said health professionals encourage people have yearly screenings and to exercise daily.
Stovey noted that the Heart Healthy Wellness fairs will have blood glucose and fasting cholesterol screenings. He said at least 12 hours of fasting is required and people will get their results within five to seven days.
Stovey also said stress can have a negative impact upon blood pressure and heart health. Thompson said the fairs will include a specialist with information about depression, anxiety and stress. A dietician will also be on-hand to answer questions.
Another item to be discussed at the fairs and the Live Smart for Your Heart event involves the five numbers that everyone should know regarding their heart health. The five numbers include their BMI (body mass index), waist circumference, blood cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar level. Peripheral artery disease will be a topic of discussion, as well, at the Live Smart for Your Heart event.
