Mon, Feb 15, 2016 at 02:00 PM

Heart Disease is Preventable – Here’s How

Marshall Medical cardiologist Dr. Kathleen Evans walked a group of seniors step-by-step through simple ways of keeping their hearts healthy with easy lifestyle changes.

“Cardiovascular disease is preventable,” Dr. Kathleen Evans explained at the GoldCare55+ February luncheon. “One in four Americans die of heart disease every year. Often a heart attack is the first sign of heart disease.”

Learn to control the contributing factors, including:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Physical inactivity
• Lack of fruit and vegetables in diet

Dr. Evans, a Heart Center cardiologist working out of Marshall South, suggested:

• Have a blood pressure monitor in your home and check it weekly
• Cut down on sugar
• Relax to counter stress
• Use more calories than you eat
• Educate yourself on what foods are healthy
• Get two meals out of one at a restaurant by dividing it and taking half home
• It’s okay not to have meat at every meal
• Treat yourself once a week

“If you don’t like where you are then get up and change it,” she advised. “You are not a tree. You are free to move and change things.”

GoldCare55+ is a group for area seniors and is sponsored by Marshall Medical Centers. Monthly Lunch-n-Learns and group trips are just some of the benefits of membership. If you would like to learn more about joining GoldCare55+ call (256)571-8025 or 753-8025 for Arab residents.