Heart Health Month: Recommendations for a Healthy Heart

Did you know that, according to the U.S. CDC, every 33 seconds, someone in the United States loses their life to heart disease? This alarming fact serves as a crucial wake-up call. Heart Health Month is not just a time for awareness, but a call to action. At Fast Pace Health, we’re committed to helping turn the tide on this leading cause of death by equipping you with the knowledge and resources that can help with a heart-healthy lifestyle.

This guide combines recommendations, practical tips, and in-depth insights from our clinicians to help you understand and manage heart disease risks.

Understanding and Managing Heart Disease Risks

1. Recognize Key Risk Factors

• Unhealthy Blood Cholesterol Levels: LDL (often referred to as “bad cholesterol”) can cause plaque buildup, while HDL (often referred to as “good cholesterol”) may help offer protection. Regular cholesterol checks are essential.
• Diabetes: Increases risk of heart and kidney disease. Managing blood sugar levels is critical.
• Obesity: Often linked to higher bad cholesterol, triglycerides, and lower good cholesterol levels. It can also lead to high blood pressure and diabetes.

• Diet: Avoid diets high in saturated fats, trans fat, and cholesterol. Limit salt intake.
• Physical Activity: Regular exercise can help lower the risk of heart disease and manage weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.
• Alcohol Consumption: Moderate alcohol intake as excessive consumption can raise blood pressure and triglyceride levels.
• Tobacco Use: Smoking damages the heart and blood vessels, raising the risk of atherosclerosis and heart attack.

3. Genetics and Family History

• Heredity: Genetic factors can play a role in heart disease, especially when combined with unhealthy lifestyle choices.
• Awareness: Know your family history and discuss it with your healthcare provider for personalized advice.

4. Age, Sex, Race, and Ethnicity

• Universal Risk: Heart disease can affect anyone, regardless of age, sex, race, or ethnicity.
• Increased Vulnerability: Certain groups may have a higher risk, necessitating more proactive heart health management.

How Fast Pace Health Can Support You in Your Heart Health Journey

When you are a Fast Pace patient, we help provide care for your whole self and lead with our hearts! We have special programs that can help ensure your heart is beating at its best.

1. Comprehensive Health Screenings: We can provide comprehensive screenings to help ensure your heart is healthy and identify risk factors and chronic conditions early. Including:

• Regular Check-Ups: Including blood pressure and cholesterol monitoring, essential for early detection and management.
• Hypertension and Diabetes Screenings: Important for those at risk or with a family history of diabetes or hypertension.

2. Personalized Care and Support

• Customized Health Plans: Tailored to individual risk factors, lifestyle, and family history.

3. Education and Lifestyle Guidance

• Nutritional Advice: We can provide guidance on a heart-healthy diet.
• Exercise Recommendations: We can help you create personalized plans to incorporate physical activity into your routine.
• Behavioral Health and Stress Management: We have behavioral health providers available as part of your care team. They can support you in managing behavioral conditions that impact your stress levels and help you be your best self.

4. Focused Programs for Managing Diabetes and Hypertension

• Dedicated Clinical Support: Our providers have access to a clinical-pharmacist, who works together with providers to help find the right medications and the right price to help you manage your diabetes and hypertension.
• In-between visits support: Our pharmacist can check-in with you to help minimize side-effects, assist with mail-order pharmacy enrollments, and provide you education. 
• Improving Your Health: In 2023, patients engaged in our program saw an average A1C reduction of 2.3, which can help significantly reduce diabetic complications!

Expert Insight

Dr. Sarika Aggarwal, Fast Pace Health’s Chief Medical Officer, emphasizes the significance of a primary care provider in navigating one’s health journey. She states, “Heart Health Month underscores the crucial role of primary care in managing heart health. A dedicated primary care provider not only helps in identifying and managing risks like high blood pressure and cholesterol but also coordinates the overall health journey, ensuring a holistic approach to prevention and care.”

Conclusion

Our journey through understanding heart health and the various risk factors associated with heart disease demonstrates the importance of proactive health management. At Fast Pace Health, we are committed to supporting you in this journey, offering tailored care, and comprehensive guidance to ensure your heart health is in the best possible state.

To learn more about Fast Pace Health and how we can support you in your health journey, visit us at www.fastpacehealth.com. Here, you can find more information about our services, book appointments, and access a wealth of resources designed to empower you in taking control of your health.

References

National Center for Health Statistics. (2021). Multiple Cause of Death 2018–2021 on CDC WONDER Online Database.  Heart Disease Facts, CDC.  American Diabetes Association.