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Spread word about American Heart Disease Month

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Mon, Jan 29th 2018 12:45 pm
By Western New York Public Health Alliance
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. for both men and women. One in every three deaths is from heart disease and stroke, equal to 2,200 deaths per day.
February is American Heart Disease month. To prevent heart disease and increase awareness of its effects, the Western New York Public Health Alliance (WNYPHA) is encouraging everyone in WNY to learn more about heart disease and support greater awareness through participation in American Heart Disease Month and National Wear Red Day (Friday, Feb. 2). By spreading the word about heart disease and how to prevent it, communities, health professionals and organizations can work together to encourage people to live heart-healthy lives.
The good news about heart disease? Heart disease can be prevented when people make healthy choices and manage their health conditions. One can make healthy changes to lower the risk of developing heart disease. Controlling and preventing risk factors is also important for people who already have heart disease.
To lower risk:
  • Watch your weight
  • Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke
  • Control your cholesterol and blood pressure
  • If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation
  • Get active and eat healthy
How can American Heart Disease Month make a difference? We can use this month to raise awareness about heart disease and how people can prevent it - both at home and in the community. Here are just a few ideas:
•Encourage families to make small changes - like using spices to season their food instead of salt.
•Motivate teachers and administrators to make physical activity a part of the school day.
•Ask doctors and nurses to be leaders in their communities by speaking out about ways to prevent heart disease
The WNYPHA is urging everyone in their communities to spread the word about strategies for preventing heart disease and to encourage their families and friends to live heart-healthy lives.
For more information, contact your local health department.
The Western New York Public Health Alliance is a not-for-profit organization comprised of the health commissioners/public health directors and other community public health leaders from the eight counties of Western New York. Its mission is to support collaboration across WNY to further public health initiatives and priorities. As part of this mission, the WNYPHA works to provide health education and information to prevent disease and improve population health. For more information on this article or the WNYPHA, contact Christine Schuyler, public health director for Chautauqua County, at 716-753-4590 or Lori Ballengee, public health director for Allegany County, at 585-268-9250.

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