Posted by Southern Surgical Arts on Jan 29, 2018 10:00:00 AM
February is American Heart Month, dedicated to raising awareness about the prevalence and prevention of heart attack, stroke and other health issues related to heart disease – a condition which claims approximately one life every minute. Often mistaken as a problem that predominately affects men, many people don’t realize that heart disease is actually the #1 killer of women today.
Overall patient care is most important at Southern Surgical Arts, and encouraging cardiac health is a top priority. EKGs are often performed to ensure a patient’s safety on the operating table and the test results can determine whether they are a viable candidate for cosmetic surgery. “You want to have healthy blood pressure, healthy blood sugar levels, not be hypertensive or suffering from diabetes. It’s really important in your recovery process in order to heal well,” says Pam Thompson, DNP, and registered nurse. When staff meets with patients who have been cleared for surgery, they make certain to advise them on heart-healthy habits in preparation for their upcoming procedure.
The American Heart Association estimates that 80% of cardiac events are preventable, with healthy habits and the right information. Talking with your primary care physician, undergoing annual exams and knowing the warning signs of a heart attack or stroke can save your life. It’s important to note that the warning signs are often different for men than for women. While both can suffer from chest pain or discomfort at the onset, women are more likely than men to experience other symptoms as well, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain. Along with symptom awareness, the AMA introduced the My Life Check campaign and The Simple Seven plan to help people reduce their risk of heart disease. The Simple Seven focuses on easy and attainable steps you can take for optimal heart health. The AMA believes that adjusting just one of the following areas of your life will make a significant impact on your cardiovascular health. Furthermore, practicing the Simple Seven habits provides everyone inexpensive and easily accessible ways to improve their chance of having a longer, healthier life.
The Simple Seven:
Manage Blood Pressure
Control Cholesterol
Take out the Sugar
Get Moving
Eat Well
Shed those pounds
Quit the Cigs
Eating well means reducing your sugar and salt intake, as well as choosing foods containing HDLs, aka, the “good fats” such as avocados and nuts. It’s a sure-fire way not only to control cholesterol levels and manage blood pressure but to also lose weight and reach a healthy BMI, or Body Mass Index, the measure of your fat to muscle mass ratio. Twenty to thirty minutes of cardio exercise such as walking, swimming or biking three times a week accomplishes the same goals. You can visit the AMA website, www.heart.org, and take a quick quiz to discover your Heart Health Score, as well as find out your risk of developing heart disease.
Educating yourself and passing on what you’ve learned to the friends and loved ones in your life may help save their lives, too. Supporting each other in maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be a fun and rewarding way to stick with the changes you have made for wellness. You can also wear red together with SSA and all of Chattanooga on National Wear Red Day, Friday, February 2nd.
WE’RE GOING RED TOO! Southern Surgical Arts is committed to women’s health and is ‘Going Red’ with you to raise awareness about the alarming incidence of heart disease in women. With EVERY breast procedure we perform in the month of February, we’ll donate $100 to the cause.