Mon, Feb 23, 2026 at 12:00 AM

New MMC family medicine physician schools seniors on heart health

Designated as Heart month, February is an annual reminder for people to take care of their tickers. Dr. Paul Morris, a family medicine physician at Albertville Primary Care, brought the message home to GoldCare55+ members at their monthly Lunch N’ learn.

As the leading cause of death in men and women in this country, heart disease kills one out of three people in the U.S. every year. Dr. Morris walked seniors through risk factors and prevention.

“Marshall County is one of those high-risk areas,” he said, adding that many of the patients he sees in his practice are dealing with cardiac issues. “We have a high prevalence of heart disease.”

One of the biggest risk factors is high blood pressure. Blood pressure monitoring is critical, and it’s not enough to get it checked only at the doctor’s office, he warned. Instead he suggested folks purchase a simple but effective blood pressure cuff and keep it near the TV. Check it twice a day – first thing in the morning and right before you go to bed. The goal is 120/80 until the age of 70 when the target could be closer to 140/90 so that it doesn’t fall too low.

“Write it down and bring it in,” Dr. Morris urged. “It’s music to my ears when one of my patients brings in a blood pressure log.”

Watching your diet is the single most important thing you can do after being diagnosed with heart disease. That includes reducing salt intake, which is directly related to blood pressure. Also, hydrate with water.

“Just be smart about your diet,” he said. “The best diet is one you can stick to.’

Also vital for heart patients is cholesterol management. The HDL - ‘good’ - and LDL – ‘bad’ - levels should stay about even.

“Know your numbers,” he said.