Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention

What is it?

  • Heart Disease- coronary atherosclerosis causes a heart attack; this takes place when cholesterol (plaque) collects in the blood in the lining of the arteries making them more narrow restricting blood flow; See FFF Cholesterol
  • Stroke- occurs when arteries are blocked, heart attack can also occur; oxygen rich blood is cut off on its way to the brain

Signs and Symptoms

  • Warning Signs- Uncomfortable pain and pressure in the center of the chest for more than 2 minutes; fullness or squeezing (Heart Attack)
  • Pain- spreading to the arms, neck, or shoulders (Heart Attack)
  • SOB/Shortness of Breath- dizziness, severe pain, fainting, sweating (Heart Attack)
  • Stroke- numbness or weakness of the arm, leg or face that may be sudden or temporary; loss of speech or trouble understanding speech, loss of vision in one eye; double vision, unexplained headaches, dizziness, unsteadiness, change in mental ability

Facts

  • Changeable Risk Factors- Smoking, weight, exercise, food intake, stress, alcohol
  • Unchangeable Risk Factors- Heredity, age, sex, race
  • Greater Risk- African Americans, male

What can I do?

  • See your Health Care Provider- control Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Obesity
  • See Registered Dietitian- for help as needed
  • See FoodFitnessFirst.com Registered Dietitian- on line for help
  • Reduce- Cholesterol, Saturated Fats, Weight if overweight, Stress, STOP SMOKING
  • High Cholesterol/Saturated Fats- bacon, cured ham, sausage, coconut, fried foods, eggs, hotdogs, luncheon meats, whole milk, sour cream, butter, lard, shortening, most desserts as cakes, pies, pastries, palm oil, ice cream, most snack crackers
  • Exercise- daily for 15 to 30 minutes
  • Treatment- for High Blood Pressure, decrease foods high in Sodium as bacon, cured ham, sausage, tomato juice, tomato sauce, canned tomato based products, pickles, sauces, salt, olives, chips, snack type foods, cheeses, canned soups, broth, bouillon
  • EAT- fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, whole grains, more skinless chicken, fish; lower fat cheese, milk, dairy products, limit eggs to 2 per week, AVOID-RICH DESSERTS