1. By Cyneetha Strong, MD May 19, 2012

2.  Diseases and conditions pertaining to the heart and vascular (blood vessels) system  Primarily includes heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure  May also include arrhythmias, PVD, ESRD, congenital heart defects

3.  Myocardial infarction – “heart attack” – damage to the heart caused by block blood vessels  Congestive heart failure – heart becomes weak and unable to pump enough blood and oxygen throughout the body to meet it’s needs  Stroke – damage to the brain from blocked blood vessel in the brain  High blood pressure – increased force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries (140/90 mmHg or higher). This causes the heart to work too hard, increasing risk of heart disease and stroke

4.  Arrhythmias – irregular heart rhythms  PVD (peripheral vascular disease) – narrowing of blood vessels in the legs resulting in pain and decreased blood flow – “poor blood circulation”  ESRD (end stage renal disease) – kidney failure requiring dialysis or kidney transplant

5.  Heart disease is the #1 killer in the US, causing more deaths than cancer, lung disease, accidents and diabetes combined.  Nearly 2400 Americans die of CVD every day  1 death every 37 seconds, 100 this hour  Estimated direct and indirect cost of CVD for $475.3 billion.  38% women, 25% men die within 1 year of heart attack

6.  Age  Family History  Race

7.  Smoking  High blood pressure  High blood cholesterol  Physical inactivity  Obesity or overweight  Diabetes

8. 1 risk factor  2x risk of person with no risk factor 2 risk factors  4x risk 3 risk factors  10x risk

9.  Don’t smoke and avoid second hand smoke  Male smokers die 13.2 years earlier than nonsmokers  Female smokers die 14.5 years earlier than nonsmokers  35% of deaths from smoking related to CVD  Nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke have 25-30% increase risk of heart disease  Get regular exercise  Aim to get at least150 minutes of cardio per week (30 minutes 5 times a week)  10,000 steps daily  Add activity to everyday life  Know your numbers  Blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose

10.  Eat a heart healthy diet  Low in saturated fats, trans fats, sodium, cholesterol  Include whole grains, vegetables, fruit, healthy fats  Maintain a healthy weight  Know your BMI (Body Mass Index)  Ask your doctor about your ideal weight  5-10% loss of body weight produces risk reduction  See your doctor for regular exams  Take medication as prescribed

11.  Blood pressure  Normal = 120/80 or less  Pre-hypertension = between 120/80 and 140/90  High blood pressure = 140/90 or higher  Over 40% of Black American adults have high blood pressure.  The prevalence of high blood pressure in Blacks Americans the highest in the world, and it is increasing.  Highest rates of high blood pressure in those who are middle-age or older, overweight or obese, physically inactive, diabetic, and less educated.

12.  Cholesterol  Total – 200 or less  LDL- “lousy”/bad cholesterol – 130 or less  HDL – “happy”/good – the higher the better Increased risks if less than 40 for men, less than 50 for women  Triglycerides – less than 150, the lower the better  A 10% decrease in total cholesterol may result in a 30% reduction in heart disease  Less than half of people needing treatment for cholesterol are receiving it.  Less than one third of those being treated are at goal, less than 20% of CHD patients at goal

13.  Blood Glucose  Normal – less than 100 fasting  Pre-diabetes – fasting blood sugar 100-126  Diabetes – more than 126 fasting(two separate occasions), or more than 200 random  At least 65% of people with diabetes die of heart disease or stroke.  30% of people with diabetes are unaware they have it.

14.  American Heart Association  Heart Disease & Stroke Statistics-2009 Update  www.americanheart.org www.americanheart.org  National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion  www.cdc.gov/omh/AMH/factsheets/cardio.htm. www.cdc.gov/omh/AMH/factsheets/cardio.htm  The Office of Minority Health  www.omh.gov www.omh.gov  The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute  www.nhlbi.gov www.nhlbi.gov

15.  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5  Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6